[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 184 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AWARENESS MONTH

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                           HON. JAMIE RASKIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 18, 2019

  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Pulmonary 
Hypertension Awareness Month and the outstanding work the Pulmonary 
Hypertension Association (PHA) in the fight against the rare and 
debilitating disease, pulmonary hypertension (PH).
  Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is high blood pressure that occurs in the 
arteries of the lungs. It reflects the pressure the heart must apply to 
pump blood from the heart through the arteries of the lungs. As with a 
tangled hose, pressure builds up and backs up forcing the heart to work 
harder and less oxygen to reach the body. PH symptoms generally include 
fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath with the severity of the 
disease correlating with its progression. If left undiagnosed or 
untreated it can lead to heart failure and death.
  I am proud to represent the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) 
headquartered in Silver Spring. PHA is dedicated to extending and 
improving the life of those affected by PH. PHA was the first 
organization in the world dedicated to providing comprehensive PH 
patient and caregiver support; medical education; specialty care 
services that improve patients' quality of life; and research funding. 
As a result of PHA's advocacy for continued investment in medical 
research and sustained scientific progress, there are 14 Food and Drug 
Administration-approved targeted treatment options for two forms of PH.
  When individuals are diagnosed with PH quickly and begin appropriate 
therapy, their prognosis and life-expectancy improve dramatically. 
However, it currently takes an average of 2.5 years to receive a 
diagnosis and three quarters of patients have severe PH when they are 
finally diagnosed. Without treatment, historical studies have shown a 
mean survival time of 2.8 years after diagnosis for pulmonary arterial 
hypertension (PAH). Patients with advanced PH cannot benefit as greatly 
from available therapies and often face dramatic and costly medical 
interventions, including 24-hour IV infused medication, increased risk 
for hospitalization and in some cases heart-lung transplantation.
  I am proud to work with PHA in their efforts to increase awareness of 
PH and create new programs that promote early and accurate diagnosis 
and quality care for PH patients.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
November as Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month and to continue 
supporting federal activities that improve the lives of patients 
impacted by PH including research programs at the National Institutes 
of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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