🚀 S2 Episode 4: Pulmonary Hypertension 101 – The Heart-Lung Connection
📅 Release Date: February 6, 2026
Welcome back to The Cozy Lung Lounge Podcast, sponsored by BluZone Health. This week, we are shifting our focus to a condition that sits right at the intersection of the heart and the lungs: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). It’s often misunderstood, frequently misdiagnosed, and far more than just "high blood pressure." We’re breaking down why the right side of the heart struggles when lung pressures rise and why finding the "why" behind the pressure is the most important step in your journey.
🎙️ Hosted by: Kelly Welton-Lewis | Gina Hoots | Amy Sheldon
💬 What We Cover:
The PH Basics: Pressure in the Pipes
- Not Your Average High Blood Pressure: We clarify the difference between systemic hypertension (the arm cuff) and pulmonary hypertension (the lungs).
- The Right Heart Burden: Understanding how elevated pressure increases the workload on the right ventricle and why PH is truly a "heart-lung" disease.
The "Why": Decoding the 5 WHO Groups
- Root Causes: We walk through the World Health Organization’s classifications, from Group 1 (PAH) and Group 2 (Left Heart Disease) to Group 4 (CTEPH).
- The Diagnostic Pearl: Why it is critical to know your group—specifically why only Group 1 qualifies for certain advanced therapies.
The Warning Signs: Subtle but Significant
- More Than Just Fatigue: We discuss how unexplained breathlessness and dizziness are often dismissed as "being out of shape" or "anxiety."
- Late-Stage Red Flags: Identifying the physical signs of right-side heart struggle, including leg swelling (edema) and abdominal bloating.
The Clinical Journey: From Screening to Gold Standard
- The Diagnostic Toolkit: We explain the role of the Echocardiogram as a screening tool versus the Right Heart Catheterization as the non-negotiable gold standard for confirmation.
- Ruling Out the Clots: The importance of the V/Q scan in identifying chronic thromboembolic disease.
Moving Forward: Treatment, Strategy, and Hope
- Treating the Root: Why managing the underlying cause—whether it's sleep apnea, COPD, or heart failure—is the first line of defense.
- Advanced Care: A look at the specialized "toolbelt" for PAH and why early referral to a PH specialist center is a game-changer for long-term outcomes.
"The right ventricle of the heart handles volume like a champ, but it struggles with pressure. Early intervention isn't just about breathing easier; it’s about protecting the heart that powers you."
🎧 #CozyLungLoungePodcast #PulmonaryHypertension #PH101 #RightHeartFailure #BluZoneHealth #HeartLungHealth #CTEPH #PAH
