CTEPH Online Support Group

NATF’s Online Support Group offers patients the opportunity to share common concerns, offer support to one-another, and learn up-to-date and accurate information on research in the field of VTE. Each month is hosted by a different doctor, who presents on important new information for patients with blood clots.

CTEPH AWARENESS

CTEPH stands for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the vessels of the lungs caused by a clot that blocks blood flow. Patients who have suffered from a pulmonary embolism (PE) are at a higher risk of developing CTEPH. Approximately 2-4% of patients who suffer a PE develop CTEPH.  Patients often experience a “honeymoon” period of several months after having a PE where they do not have any symptoms of CTEPH.
Common symptoms of CTEPH include fatigue, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance.  Symptoms may progress to include chest discomfort, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), fainting (syncope), light-headedness, and leg swelling (edema). Just like a pulmonary embolism, CTEPH can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
To raise awareness about this devastating disease and provide support to patients with CTEPH, NATF is excited to announce that NATF will be hosting special Online Support Groups for patients diagnosed with CTEPH and those looking to learn more.  We are pleased to have Dr. William Auger at UCSD, a leading expert in CTEPH, and Dr. James Welker at Anne Arundel Health System, founder of the NATF online support groups, as our facilitators.

Additional details for this past event are no longer available.