What is Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (blood vessels) that carry blood to the lungs. PH is a rare but very complex and serious lung disease that is progressive and potentially fatal.
Unfortunately, PH symptoms are similar to other lung and cardiac diseases, making an accurate PH diagnosis difficult. To know more about pulmonary hypertension, consult the following PHA Canada pages:
#LifeInPurple
Part of having an "invisible chronic illness" like pulmonary hypertension is that it can be difficult for people who aren't directly affected by PH to understand what it means to live with the illness. That is why PHA Canada created the #LifeInPurple campaign.
Do you have photos from PH Awareness Month you wish to share? Go to your social media post:
- tag us using @PHACanada
- edit your post and add #PHAwarenessMonth and/or #LifeInPurple
- or contact us at dfisher@phacanada.ca
6-Minute Walk for Breath
Since 2012, the PH community has gathered in November to raise awareness of pulmonary hypertension and funds in support of PHA Canada with the 6-Minute Walk for Breath. The 6-Minute Walk for Breath is a great opportunity to educate your family, friends, and community about what it's like to live with pulmonary hypertension. Participants are encouraged to walk for 6-minutes while wearing a mask and holding weights to feel what it is like for PH patients to do the walk.
Our sincere appreciation goes to everyone participating in the 6-Minute Walk for Breath. This year’s event raised over $43,000 in support of PHA Canada programs and saw participation coast to coast. This year included organized events on walk day in London, Ottawa and Vancouver, where local PHers celebrated PH Awareness Month and those taking part in the 6-Minute Walk for Breath. Thank you to everyone!
You can revist PH Awareness Month including media interviews, in the dropbox below:
For more PH information, consult our Resources page.