Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary hypertension simply means high pressures in the lung circulation. It's an umbrella term used to describe a group of diseases that will cause the elevation in pressures. Outcomes can be poor in certain subtypes of pulmonary hypertension if not treated in a timely manner. Symptoms can be elusive and nonspecific leading to delayed diagnosis in a large proportion of patients. Also, management is highly specialized and very specific to the subtype of pulmonary hypertension. The approach to a patient with pulmonary hypertension is complex to say the least. However, most pulmonary hypertension centers in the nation are run by either pulmonologists or cardiologists but not both. Experience has taught us that a dedicated multidisciplinary team including pulmonologists, cardiologists, specialty pharmacists, nurses and respiratory therapists is crucial to deliver the best care for such a complex condition. At Baptist Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center, we were able to establish such a team and we see the strength of this multidisciplinary approach in almost all of our patients. We strive to satisfy an unmet community need by having the first local pulmonary hypertension center within hundreds of miles radius.

Baptist Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center

Baptist Heart Institute is home to the first pulmonary hypertension center in the Mid-South. The Baptist Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing pulmonary hypertension, an umbrella term used to describe a group of diseases that cause high pressures in the lung circulation.

Treating and managing pulmonary hypertension is complex. However, most pulmonary hypertension centers in the nation are run by either pulmonologists or cardiologists, but not both. Experience has taught us that a dedicated multidisciplinary team including pulmonologists, cardiologists, specialty pharmacists, nurses and respiratory therapists is vital to delivering the best care for such a complex condition. At Baptist Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center, we were able to establish such a team and we see the strength of this multidisciplinary approach in almost all of our patients.

If not treated in timely manner, certain forms of pulmonary hypertension can cause more serious problems. Symptoms can be elusive and nonspecific leading to delayed diagnosis. Furthermore, managing this condition is highly specialized and very specific to the kind of pulmonary hypertension the patient has, which makes timely treatment that much more important. The Baptist Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center is the only clinic in the Mid-South with experienced physicians and other health care professionals who specialize in the early detection and treatment of this condition.