PH Insights

PHA’s Advocacy and Treatment Access program manager, Jaeger Spratt, guest-hosts this episode for Open Enrollment Season. They invited Kim Everett, a pulmonary arterial hypertension and lupus patient, to talk about her experiences with insurance over the years and share how current Medicare changes have improved her prescription experience. Guest Amy Niles, chief mission officer at the PAN Foundation, tells listeners everything you need to know about Medicare reforms for 2025. Jaeger and Amy also highlight resources like PHA’s Insurance Guide, webinars about Medicare on PHA Classroom, and other places to find additional resources like Medicare.gov (1-800-633-4227, TTY users: 1-877-486-2048), local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (the SHIP program) for receive free, personalized health insurance counseling, and Patient Advocate Foundation’s case management services (800-532-5274)

Guests: Jeff Spiwak, a patient with pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease; and Ahmad Abu Homoud, MD.

In this episode of PH Insights, Spiwak, a pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease patient, joins Hamoud to discuss the impact of PH-ILD on daily life and the importance of exercise or physical activity to manage the condition. Homoud and Spiwak share the importance of support and maintaining a positive attitude while living with a chronic illness. The episode concludes with advice for seeking early medical help and a message of hope.

Guest: Ahmad Abu Homoud, MD, medical director, Pulmonary Hypertension Center,

In this episode of PH Insights, Homoud discusses the connection between pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease. ILD is a group of disorders that cause scarring (fibrosis) or inflammation of lung tissue, leading to stiffened lungs and difficulty breathing. People with ILD may develop pulmonary hypertension due to a stiff left side of the heart or sleep apnea. Homoud explains the development of PH in ILD, a rare condition that affects about 30% of patients. He also discusses the diagnostic process for both conditions and available treatment options, including medications, oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. He also emphasizes the importance of early detection and encourages patients to work closely with their medical team.

Guests: Jenny Yang, MD, and Monica Penaranda, PHA Board of Trustees member and PH patient.

In this episode, we hear from Monica Penaranda, who has been living with pulmonary arterial hypertension for 27 years. Diagnosed while pregnant, Penaranda shares her diagnosis journey and discusses the importance of perseverance, proper medical care and finding joy while living with PH. Jenny Yang explains how pregnancy can often reveal undiagnosed PAH, highlighting the critical importance of early detection and specialized care. Tune in to hear Penaranda’s inspiring journey and how advancements in PAH treatment have supported her along the way.

Guest: Jenny Yang, MD; assistant professor of medicine, University of California San Diego 

Pulmonary hypertension is a complex and underdiagnosed condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. Blood vessels can become stiff, damaged or narrow, causing the right side of the heart to work harder to pump blood through. In this inaugural episode of PH Insights, Jenny Yang provides a comprehensive overview of PH, its classifications and common misconceptions associated with the condition. Listen now for valuable insights into PH and new advancements in research and treatment that offer hope to people with PH.