8 Breath Of Hope For Patients With Deadly Lung Disease (NAPSA)-—A former aerobics instructor loses her breath while walking up a fight of stairs. A man in his thirties notices that he gets dizzy while mowing his lawn. A young girl faints while playing sports with friends. These people have one thingto cormmon—Prlmonary Hypertension. Pubnonary hypertension is a chronic and deadly tung disease for which there is no cure. It causes high blood pressure in the lungs and can lead to heart failure and death. Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms inchide: Dizziness in patients with “primary”pulmonary hypertension, the disease occurs spontaneously and its cause is unknown. It is believed exertion Extremefatigue Fainting that in at least 10 percent of @Q The only drug approved to treat pulmonary hypertension requires a 24-hour infusion pump and an intravenous line implanted directly into the patient’s heart. When this drug fails, the only other choice for maoy patients is hing transplant. The disease can be puzzling to doctors and is often under-diag- nosed or misdiagnosed. Karlystage symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue are common te other diseases and some less serious conditions. Patients often must seek many different medical opinions before receiving an accurate diagnosis. “Greater disease awareness aod earlier diagnosis can help patients get the treatment they need sooner and before the disease progresses to a later stage,” said Rino Aldrighetti, executive director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Your doctor can tell you what, if anything, to do aboutit. Shortness of breath with ifthese symptomspersist, contact your doctor. Sheriness of breath may be a sign of a serious heart condition. cases, the disease is hereditary. The gene for pulmonary bypertension was recently identified, offering hope for a future cure. Other patients can have pulmonary hypertension associated with diseases such as scleraderma, lung and liver disease, HIV infeetion, or from having used certain appetite suppres- gants such as fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine (Fen-Phen). Now, new medical breakthroughs and improved diagnosis may bring hope. Several new therapies, including more convenient oral medications, may he available very soon offering a breath of hope for thousands of patients and their families. For more information about Pulmonary Hypertension contact the Pulmonary Hypertension Association at 301-565-3004 or visit the Web site at www.phassociation.org. To reach the patient HELP-LINE cali 1-800-748-7274. fo 2 agM a a a a a Editor’s Note: Wile this story is u ful at any time of the year, it’s particularly apt during Pulmonary Hypertension Awarenes Week, which for 2601 starts September 1Gih.
