PAH (primary arterial hypertension) and PPH (primary pulmonary hypertension) are two terms for the same condition. The acronyms refer to high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, the pulmonary vein, and/or the capillaries that function in concert with these two major blood vessels.
Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, and other symptoms consistent with overexertion. There are several forms of the disease, with varying degrees of severity although all of them can be serious problems. The PAH/PPH syndrome can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a critical and often fatal cardiac event. PAH/PPH also induces severe pressure on the heart and can lead to heart failure.
While there are less than two thousand diagnoses of PAH each year, the most common demographic for its development is in women between the ages of twenty and forty. Because hypertension and the accompanying problems are often associated with people over the age of fifty, the statistic stands out as an anomaly. Part of the reason for the impact on the younger age group is the use of Fen-phen.
Pulmonary Hypertension and Fen-phen
Fen-Phen is a combination of two drugs: fenfluramine and phentermine. It was sold as an anorectic, a medication that reduced weight rapidly and in substantial amounts. Fenflureamine was introduced as a weight reduction product in the 1970s but was not popular as it did not induce dramatic results. When the two drugs are combined, however, they are more effective in appetite reduction and the new formulary became very popular.
After a series of reports about young women developing severe pulmonary or heart problems while using the drug, the FDA put pressure on the manufacturer and ultimately forced removal from the market in 1997. Its association with PAH has gained continuing reinforcement as women who used the drug develop PAH and other heart problems. Medical experts say that the impact of fen-phen usage may not emerge for ten or more years after an individual has discontinued usage of the drug.
Legal Recourse
By 2005, over fifty thousand law suits had been filed against the drug’s manufacturer, Wyeth. There are no firm figures on the extent of liability payments, but estimates run as high as $14 billion. If you took Fen-phen and have developed heart symptoms in the ensuing years, you may have a case for liability compensation. Contact one of our attorneys about your situation and you will be provided an in-depth, knowledgeable assessment of your case at no charge.
