May 5th is World Lung Hypertension Day...Middle-aged female caution, average survival of only 2-3 years when it worsens
Apr 30, 2025
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Pulmonic Hypertension (PH) is a disease in which pressure in pulmonary blood vessels rises abnormally, and is an incurable disease that is caused by various causes and is difficult to treat. The estimated domestic prevalence population is known to be about 500,000 and about 1% of the global population.
Pulmonary hypertension is divided into five categories according to the cause, especially pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare and severe refractory disease that increases pulmonary vascular resistance and increases the burden on the heart, and is most common in women in their mid to late 40s. Despite efforts so far, the average survival rate of pulmonary arterial hypertension for five years in Korea is only 71.5%, lower than the average survival rate of cancer in Korea, which is significantly lower than that of advanced countries such as Japan.
The typical symptoms are difficulty breathing, chronic fatigue, chest pain, and fainting, and the later the diagnosis is, the worse the treatment prognosis may be. In particular, it is often found in middle-aged women, and if the timing of diagnosis and treatment is missed, the average survival period may be only 2 to 3 years. If you are short of breath for no reason, it is a disease to be suspected, and it can be screened by echocardiography.
The Korean Society of Pulmonary Hypertension (KPHS) is actively promoting the 「Pulmonary Miri Hope Campaign」 and sharing hope with the public.
The campaign is based on the topic of early recognition and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, which can be found on the official website of the society.
On the occasion of World Pulmonary Hypertension Day, he organized his disease and academic activities with a Q&A with Jung Wook-jin, president of the Korean Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
-What is the significance of the 'Hope Campaign in advance'?
Like the word ▶'lungmi', it means a disease that can be cured if you know 'lungmi', and it contains a dual meaning that early diagnosis and professional treatment should be performed for the happiness of the family. Pulmonary hypertension may have already progressed considerably if symptoms are ambiguous and are not detected at the beginning. If you are short of breath or continue to feel tired, don't call it simple aging or stress, and you must get tested.
-What is the most important part of early diagnosis and treatment?
▶Early diagnosis is the start of saving lives, and active treatment is the process of protecting life. Currently, studies have clearly shown that combination treatments of two and three drugs are more effective in improving survival rates than single drugs. Through active drug use and periodic treatment response evaluation from the beginning of diagnosis, the prognosis of patients can be remarkably improved.
-What are the activities of the conference to pay attention to this year?
▶The 'PH Korea 2025' conference to be held in Seoul from July 11th to 12th will be held under the theme of 'Dedicated to cure PH'. In other words, it means that now let's make more dedicated efforts to cure the disease. This conference will also announce the first pulmonary hypertension guidelines of the Korean Pulmonary Hypertension Association, and it will be a place to discuss practical treatment paradigms such as drug combination therapy and patient-specific treatment strategies. It also publishes an official journal called 'Right Heart Journal' with the East Asian Society of Pulmonary Hypertension (EASOPH).
Unfortunately, Epoprostenol, Tadallafil, Sotatercept, treprostinyl inhalants used for group 3 pulmonary hypertension, which are still not introduced in Korea, and Riosiguad of group 4 pulmonary hypertension need to be quickly introduced and covered by insurance, and the government and society need to pay attention and efforts through the designation of a pulmonary hypertension center.
-What do you want to emphasize to the people?
▶With this pulmonary hypertension day, I hope that the people will raise awareness and interest in pulmonary hypertension, recognize the importance of early diagnosis and professional treatment, and keep their lives through early checkups and professional treatment.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
