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Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Injury Lawyer
Appetite Suppressant Lawsuit
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive disorder characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) of the main artery of the lungs (pulmonary artery). The pulmonary artery is a blood vessel carrying oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle (one of the heart?s pumping chambers) to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen, then flows to the heart?s left side, where the left ventricle pumps it to the rest of the body through the aorta.
The American Heart Association says, "Hypertension is a medical term for abnormally high blood pressure. This abnormally high blood pressure (pulmonary hypertension) is linked with changes in the small blood vessels in the lungs. These changes increase resistance to blood flowing through the vessels. This increased resistance puts a strain on the right ventricle, which now must work harder than usual to move enough blood through the lungs."
PPH Statistics:
In the United States, an estimated 500 to 1,000 new cases of primary pulmonary hypertension are diagnosed each year.
The greatest number is reported in women between ages 20 and 40. However, men and women in all age ranges?as well as very young children?can develop PPH.
What Are the Symptoms of PPH?
The most common symptoms of primary pulmonary hypertension are related to difficulty breathing. They include:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Coughing up blood
- Fainting spells
- Fatigue (tiring easily)
- Hyperventilation (breathing harder and faster)
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Progressive cyanosis (blue tinge to lips, hands and feet)
- Progressive shortness of breath (especially with activity)
- Progressive weakness
- Swelling of ankles or feet (edema)
Later symptoms, provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute involve:
- The pumping action of your heart grows weaker
- Your energy decreases
In the more advanced stages, you:
- Are able to perform very little activity
- Have symptoms even when resting
- May become completely bedridden
What Causes PPH?
PPH is still not totally understood by the medical community; while doctors and physicians are unable to compile a definite list of dangerous drugs or environmental conditions resulting in the development of PPH, a study by the World Health Organization suggests appetite suppressants such as "fen-phen" and amphetamines have a "very likely causative role in pulmonary hypertension."
According to an article in the American Family Physician, "The use of appetite-suppressant drugs for more than three months is associated with a greater than 30 times increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. In the United States, the anorexic agents fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were recalled in September 1997, only 18 months after they were released."
The World Health Organization cited aminorex (the appetite suppressant aminorex fumarate is thought to have caused an epidemic of pulmonary hypertension in Europe in the 1960s), fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine ("fen-phen") on the 'risk factors for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ? definite causal relationship' list at the World Symposium on Primary Pulmonary Hypertension conference.
What If I Have Been Diagnosed With PPH?
Always consult your physician for medical advice. PPH therapy has advanced significantly in recent years, which has resulted in increased survival rates amongst people with this disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PPH. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with PPH, contact our law firm today for a free and immediate evaluation of your case.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and should not be viewed as such. For medical advice, you should always consult with your physician. This law firm is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or associated with WebMD, the American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the World Health Organization, or the American Family Physician publication.
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At Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, we are dedicated to protecting victims’ rights. We are an experienced personal injury law firm taking cases throughout the country. Our drug injury lawyers have successfully defended the rights of thousands of clients just like you. Complete a free online consultation form or dial (866) 589-0257 to get the help you need.
We handle several case types, including: auto accident, birth injury, defective medical device, defective product, drug injury, environmental injury, medical malpractice, motorcycle accident, nursing home abuse, and truck accident. If you have been seriously hurt, call us now.
The drug injury lawyers at Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough have a special focus helping drug injury victims. We can help you if you have suffered after using Accutane, Birth Control Patch, Cold Therapy, Depakote, Digitek, Fen-Phen, Levaquin, NuvaRing, Paxil, Reglan, SJS, Trasylol, and Yaz, or experienced Dead Jaw or PPH.
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