Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs when the small blood vessels that run through the lungs become thicker, constrict or become plugged. This causes high pressure in those vessels, making the right side of the heart work harder to pump blood through the lungs. If high pressure continues untreated, the heart will become enlarged and weaker – resulting in pumping blood less efficiently into the lungs and eventually throughout the body.
About 30 percent of patients with unexplained shortness of breath have pulmonary hypertension. In addition, patients with other diseases, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic thromboembolic disease, HIV and advanced liver disease may develop secondary PH over time and can benefit from treatments.
The Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Heart Failure Program is a unique collaboration between two centers of excellence at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), the Heart & Vascular Center and The Lung Center. The combined expertise of both cardiovascular and pulmonary physicians is critical in diagnosing and providing the most comprehensive care for pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.
Multidisciplinary care and continuous innovation are hallmarks of the treatment offered to patients with PH at BWH. An accredited Pulmonary Hypertension Center, our specialists work closely with both heart and lung transplant teams and:
- are foremost in the field of research on pulmonary hypertension,
- have renowned innovators developing new treatments for pulmonary hypertension,
- advance the field by training the next generation of pulmonary hypertension specialists.
Learn more about pulmonary hypertension.
Learn more about heart failure.
Watch this video on heart failure.
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment with a specialist at the Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Heart Failure Program call (857) 307-4000.
Refer a Patient
Physicians can make a referral to the Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Heart Failure Program by calling (857) 307-4000.
