PAH

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is defined as high blood pressure in the arteries within the lungs. It is not the same as systemic high blood pressure. This rare condition is also known as Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) or Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).

PAH can cause the right side of the heart to become enlarged, which can reduce the pumping ability of the left side of the heart and eventually lead to congestive heart failure. PHA can be caused by:

• Taking the diet drugs Fen-Phen (Fentermine and Fenfluramine), Redux or Pondimin
• Heart valve disease
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Left-sided heart disease
• Lung disease
• HIV
• Connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma or lupus
• Liver disease

Accurately diagnosing Pulmonary Hypertension requires many different tests. Because the symptoms of PH are often vague, consisting mainly of shortness of breath and decreased energy, it may require the following procedures to rule out more common diseases that may have similar symptoms:

• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac catheterization
• Lab work
• VQ scan
• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary Function Test
• Exercise Tolerance Test

If you have been diagnosed with PAH that you believe is related to the use of diet drugs in the past, you may be able to receive compensation for your long-term condition. You can contact us today to speak with our Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension nurse or any member of our legal team.

PHA and Diet Drugs

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension has been associated with taking the diet drugs Redux, Pondimin and Fen-Phen, even if they were ingested many years ago. PAH is known to have a 10- to 20-year latency period (the time between taking the diet drug and onset of symptoms). Additionally, PH symptoms such as shortness of breath and decreased energy often go undiagnosed for two to three years.

Essentially, the toxic diet medications ingested a decade or more ago can slowly cause an overgrowth of cells that line the pulmonary arteries. As the cells continue to grow over time, the pulmonary arteries narrow, causing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. 

If you took Fen-Phen, Redux or Pondimin and have recently been diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, it is imperative that first you tell your doctor about the diet-drug use. Then come to us. Guerra & Moore is experienced in litigation involving PAH related to diet drugs. The makers of these diet drugs knew that these pills caused PAH and allowed it to remain on the market. It is your right to take legal action.

If you or a loved one has suffered from Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in McAllen, Texas or anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, please contact the defective drug attorneys at Guerra Moore Attorneys at Law to discuss how we can help you and your family recover.