Find a PAH Specialist

Why do I need a PAH specialist?
Finding a specialist

Why do I need a PAH specialist?

Not all pulmonologists and cardiologists are PAH specialists

Pulmonologists are healthcare providers who specialize in treating the respiratory system, including the lungs, and cardiologists are healthcare providers who specialize in treating the cardiovascular system, including the heart. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lung disease that aﬀects the heart, so seeing a pulmonologist or cardiologist is a good start.

However, not all pulmonologists and cardiologists have experience in treating PAH. Many pulmonologists and cardiologists who don’t specialize in PAH will see only a handful of PAH patients in their careers. You may ﬁnd that you have to travel to another town or city to visit a PAH specialist or PH care center.

PAH Treatment Guidelines recommend that if your healthcare provider is not a PAH specialist, they should refer you to one.

You can ﬁnd a PAH specialist online with just a few clicks. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association hosts a free, easy-to-use tool that is available to everyone.

Find a PAH Specialist

“This disease is so rare that every doctor may not know about it. You need to see a PAH specialist because a PAH specialist is going to have a lot more dedicated knowledge to the PAH world.”

—Denise, PAH Initiative Ambassador

Why we sought out a PAH expert

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients and PAH Initiative Ambassadors Karen, Laura, and Denise discuss the benefits of having a PAH expert as part of their care teams.

[On Screen Text: Working with a PAH Expert. PAH Initiative - Sponsored by United Therapeutics - Committed to Improving the Lives of Patients.]

[On Screen Text: Karen PAH Initiative Ambassador]

It was a shock to have this diagnosis.

[On Screen Text: Laura PAH Initiative Ambassador]

It's all confusing at first, it's scary and confusing.

[On Screen Text: Denise PAH Initiative Ambassador]

This disease is so rare that every doctor may not know about it. You may have to find that PAH specialist.

I would encourage others to go ahead and do their homework on this disease. And to go ahead and speak to their doctors

I really think that you need to see a PAH specialist because a PAH specialist is going to have a lot more dedicated knowledge to the PAH world.

I'm fighting for my life, and so when I'm in the doctor's office, I have to be selfish.

I know what I want and expect. And I will not take anything less than that.

I fully take the lead and I will tell the doctor how I'm doing or what I've been doing.

Some doctors are great with helping you connect with support groups or helping you connect with someone who does have PAH.

If I have a question, I can call the main nurse of the department and they'll call me back within a day. If there’s something urgent, they’ll try to get them on the phone right away.

We have an app through the hospital. We communicate through email a lot, and we also have Facebook friends with my nurse. So, we are able to communicate in a lot of different ways nowadays.

I use MyChart, and we do all the testing every six months, and just keep on top of my care.

[On Screen Text: PAH Initiative - Sponsored by United Therapeutics - Committed to Improving the Lives of Patients. For more resources about PAH, please visit www.PAHInitiative.com]

Patient and doctor discussing PAH treatment options

Starting the conversation with your PAH specialist

Even when seeing a PAH specialist, you should feel empowered to ask questions, share your goals, and expect your healthcare team to be a partner in your care.

Not sure where to start?