SILVER SPRING, Md. (PRWEB)
November 02, 2020

PHA Launches Facebook Live Events for Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month

‘Ask the Expert’ Q&As address PH risk factors, symptoms, treatment

As part of its national campaign to raise awareness about pulmonary hypertension (PH) in November, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) will host Facebook Live Q&As Nov. 18 (Spanish) and Nov. 20 (English). The “Ask the Expert: About PH” events aim to educate PH patients, families and physicians on the risk factors, symptoms and treatments for the disease. Both events will begin at 7 p.m. ET.

All PH patients, whether newly diagnosed or living with PH for many years, along with their families, caregivers and physicians, are welcome to attend and bring their questions.

Josanna Rodriguez-Lopez, M.D., associate director of the pulmonary hypertension and thromboendarterectomy program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and Margie Rodriguez, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner at the Pulmonary and Sleep Center of the Valley in McAllen, Texas, will share their expertise in the Spanish-language event. Sonja Bartolome, M.D., professor of internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care, at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and a member of PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council, will share her insights in the English event.

PHA also will host three additional Facebook Live “Ask the Expert” events in November. “Ask the Expert: PH and Connective Tissue Diseases” will take place Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET. It will focus on the link between PH and connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma.

“Ask the Expert: CTEPH,” scheduled for Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. ET (Spanish) and noon ET (English) will focus on the risks, symptoms and treatment options for CTEPH, a rare form of pulmonary hypertension caused by blood clots in the lungs. The events, which feature both a doctor and CTEPH patient, take place on CTEPH Awareness Day.

“Ask the Expert: PH and Meth,” planned for Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. ET (English) and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. ET (Spanish), will focus on the link between PH and methamphetamine use, a growing concern.

More information on the events and how to watch is available on PHA’s website.

Pulmonary hypertension, a progressive lung disease defined by high blood pressure in the lungs, is significantly underdiagnosed and misunderstood, even among health care providers. Symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain, are not necessarily specific to PH and can lead to dangerous delays in a correct diagnosis. While PH is incurable, early diagnosis and proper treatment can extend and improve an individual’s quality of life.

“With PH being a rare disease, raising awareness is critical,” said Michael Knaapen, PHA director of patient and caregiver programs. “Our “Ask the Expert” series will provide an opportunity to educate people on the symptoms, risks and treatment options for PH and alert them to the connection between PH and other conditions. Early diagnosis is key to improved outcomes and quality of life.”

Contact: PHA Communications

communications@phassociation.org

About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association

Headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit patient association dedicated to the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare, chronic and life-threatening disease of the lungs for which no cure currently exists. PHA’s mission is to extend and improve the lives of those affected by PH. To achieve this mission, PHA engages people with PH and their families, caregivers, health care providers, and researchers worldwide who work together to advocate for the PH community, provide support to patients, caregivers and families, offer up-to-date education and information on PH, improve quality patient care, and fund and promote research. For more information, visit http://www.PHAssociation.org and connect with PHA on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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