Our clients develop Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) due to their use of Fen-Phen dating back to the 90's. Otherwise,(when there is no Fen-Phen involved) scientists believe that PPH victims have a unique sensitivity in their blood vessels that causes those vessels to constrict or narrow. It has also been shown that individuals diagnosed with Raynaud's Disease have an increased propensity for PPH. Other environmental factors such as cocaine or an HIV diagnosis can also cause the narrowing of the pulmonary artery and hence PPH.
All of our clients' symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and tiredness. The shortness of breath becomes worse over time and includes nausea, dizziness, and even sudden loss of consciousness such as fainting. We also have clients with swollen legs and ankles as well as sometimes a bluish coloration of the lips and certain parts of the skin. Unfortunately, PPH becomes worse over time. Often, our clients do not receive a PPH diagnosis until they are already in serious condition.
All of our clients are diagnosed with PPH after having a catheterization of the right heart which includes the right ventricle, right atrium and pulmonary artery. This procedure measures the pressure inside the arteries and ventricles against normal levels. The catheter is placed into the artery or vein in the groin or leg and measurements are then taken. This is called a Right Heart Catheterization. This is the best definitive test for a PPH diagnosis.
Our PPH clients are placed on certain drugs which help to lower the their blood pressure and to dilate or relax the effected veins and arteries involved. Your pulmonologist or cardiologist will probably perform periodic cardiac catheterizations to determine which medications are working and which are not.
What happens in Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is that the pulmonary artery's blood pressure rises above the mean blood pressure of 14 MNHG. Diagnosed Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) (or Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) (PAH) blood pressure always exceeds 25 MNHG on average. This high blood pressure damages the capillaries and causes too much work and effort to the heart's right side which unfortunately has to work harder and harder to pump blood to the capillaries.
Types of PPH medication include:
- Calcium channel blockers
- IV Prostacyclin
- Diuretic Medication
- Anti-coagulant Medications
- Other Treatment
Heart / lung transplant or lung transplant to dispose of the damaged tissue and implant anormal pulmonary artery. The heart will need to be transplanted as it has been damaged from hypertension.
Our best clients for treatment are those who have been diagnosed early. Our clients usually are on medication for the rest of their lives but are still able to lead a normal life.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and you have a history of taking Fen-Phen please contact us. We are handling PPH cases in all 50 states and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Fen Phen victims.
Contact The Law Offices of Nadrich & Cohen at (800) 718-4658 or use our online form.
