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HIV-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

For most people living with HIV, progress with antiretroviral therapies has made it a chronic disease.

Recent studies have shown that people with HIV — even those that manage it with medications — are at higher risk for other illnesses such as:

Approximately 1 in 200 people living with HIV will have HIV-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (HIV-PAH), although recent studies have reported this may be higher.

If untreated, HIV-PAH can get worse and shorten one’s life.

HIV-PAH Diagnosis

Due to this increased risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension in those with HIV (as well as COPD), it is important to assess people with respiratory symptoms carefully for this condition.

A team of pulmonologists and cardiologists at the UPMC Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Program works closely with the Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment (PACT) to find the cause of shortness of breath.

We perform comprehensive diagnostic testing and implement medical or surgical pulmonary hypertension treatments most suitable to the condition.

Our goal is to diagnose these conditions early and improve each person’s quality of life.