Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program

What is pulmonary hypertension?

If the condition goes untreated, the heart cannot push hard enough against the lung pressures, which may eventually lead to heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare disorder of high blood pressure in the blood vessels that line the lungs. Pulmonary blood pressure rises when arteries and capillaries in the lungs become narrowed, blocked, or destroyed, making it hard for blood to flow through the lungs. Because the vessels of the lung and the heart are physically connected, this makes blood pressure in the heart rise and forces the heart to work harder than normal.

Learn more about pulmonary hypertension.

Why choose the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program?

The Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Children's Hospital Colorado was the first multidisciplinary program for children in the United States and has been treating children with pulmonary hypertension for 25 years. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association recently awarded our Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program with a prominent accreditation for the ability to diagnose and care for medically complex patients. This accreditation makes our program one of only three pediatric programs in the U.S. to receive this distinction.

We currently manage more than 200 patients with severe pulmonary hypertension either as a primary diagnosis or secondary to heart or lung disease. Our primary goal is to improve your child's quality of life by focusing on early detection and treatment. Our program offers state-of-the-art diagnosis, consultation and long-term follow-up care for kids with pulmonary hypertension and their families. Treatment options include oral, intravenous and inhaled therapies, as well as access to clinical trials.

Heart and Lung Resources for families

• The Pediatric Heart Lung Center at Children’s Colorado is a multidisciplinary program that provides a unique approach toward patient care, education, research and training in childhood heart and lung disease.
• Our Welcome Program helps families deal with all aspects of your child’s care. If your child is scheduled for heart surgery and you live more than 50 miles away, our Welcome Program can make your visit a little easier.

To learn more about pulmonary hypertension, visit the following websites:

• Pulmonary Hypertension Association
• The American Heart Association
• The U.S. Library of Medicine

Get more information about PH, tests and treatments.