Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

PAH is a progressive condition caused by narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. The heart needs to pump against this higher pressure to keep blood flowing through the lungs, this makes it harder for the heart to work.

Phil has the most uncommon type of PAH - only 30 people on the east coast of Australia are being treated for this.

There is currently no cure for PAH.

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath

• Lips & fingers turning purple/blue

• Feeling tired or fatigued

• Dizziness

• Light-headedness or fainting

• Swelling in legs, and/or the belly

• Chest discomfort or pain

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

Phil’s treatment

• Continuous IV infusion to open up the blood vessels to the lungs and reduce the work for the heart
• 24/7 supply of oxygen delivered via nasal high-flow system that delivers warmed and humidified oxygen
• Restricted fluid intake to make more space for the heart to beat
• Low sodium diet to prevent fluid retention
• Assisted mobility to avoid exertion

<aside> 🚩 Phil is listed on the QAS register so that Ambulance officers know how to respond if called in an emergency. He also has teams of experts at The Prince Charles Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital who are familiar with him and his condition.

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More info on the life-sustaining treatment & equipment in use for Phil ➔ List of Phil's doctors and specialists ➔ In case of emergency ➔ Copy of resuscitation plan ➔

Associated conditions that Phil is also treated for:

• Scleroderma (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and fibrosis in connective tissue)