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Psychosocial Aspects of Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review

Received November 8, 2006; revised February 26, 2007; accepted March 16, 2007. From the Univ. of Toledo Dept. of Psychiatry; the Univ. of Michigan Dept. of Psychiatry; and the Univ. of Michigan, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dept. of Internal Medicine. Send correspondence and reprint requests to John M. Wryobeck, Ph.D., Univ. of Toledo Health Science Campus; Dept. of Psychiatry; Mail Stop 1193, 3000 Arlington Ave.; Toledo, OH 43614. e-mail: John.Wryobeck{at}utoledo.edu
© 2007 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by progressive and sustained elevation of pulmonary-artery pressure, which ultimately leads to right-ventricular failure and death. The diagnosis carries with it an uncertain and historically very bleak prognosis. Although new oral and chronic parenteral (intravenous and subcutaneous) treatments have had a significant positive medical impact on the physical functioning of individuals with PAH, patients often struggle with new short- and long-term psychosocial challenges. The purpose of the current article is to 1) provide a brief review of PAH and its treatment; 2) summarize the limited literature examining the psychosocial adjustment of those with a PAH diagnosis; and 3) provide pertinent information extrapolated from the larger literature on chronic illness that might inform us on the psychosocial challenges faced by the patient diagnosed with PAH.

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