Breakout Sessions

Considering transplant? Understand the key stages of the transplant process including evaluation, wait list, surgery and recovery. Listen in to hear what to expect before, during and after surgery, how to prepare and questions to ask your healthcare team. 

*This session includes content relevant to children and adults with PH. 

Take a closer look at PH and associated connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma and lupus. Learn about the  common symptoms, diagnostic tests to monitor your conditions and treatment approaches to help manage both conditions effectively.  *This session is intended to be interactive. Speakers are invited use gamification tools such as trivia or bingo to enhance learning for PH Community*

Oxygen therapy plays a key role in PH treatment. This session will offer practical tips to make oxygen therapy work for you. Learn about getting the right oxygen equipment and using it safely, traveling with oxygen and navigating insurance coverage.

Pregnancy comes with considerable risk for people with PH. In the first session of this two-part discussion, speakers will talk through risks of birth control options and how to choose what may be best for you. Next steps if pregnancy does occur, including referal to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and/or navigating pregnancy termination in the current political landscape, will also be discussed during this session. 

*Topic may be sensitive, attendee discretion advised

This session is for anyone (children and adults) living with pulmonary hypertension and their caregivers. We'll discuss what palliative care is and isn't. Explore how integrating palliative care specialists into your care plan can improve quality of life by addressing symptom management, support to cope with stress, and planning for future advanced care (therapeutics to transplant) while focusing on what matters most to you and your family. 

Starting an exercise regimen with a diagnosis of PH can often be intimidating. However, exercise is a great way to improve breathing efficiency, aerobic capacity and overall quality of life.  This session invites you to GET ACTIVE and learn exercises you can safely do at home. Examples may include safe stretching, chair movements and more. *This is designed to be an interactive session for patients* 

Intravenous (IV) therapy is a common treatment option for certain types of pulmonary hypertension that can be overwhelming at first. Learn the essentials of IV therapies: what IV treatment involves, how it's administered and what to expect (central line or pump) as well as the basics of caring for your device.  

This session will explain how PH and its treatments affect reproductive health regardless of gender, including the impact of medications like erectile dysfunction drugs. Learn how to start conversations with your care team about family planning, contraception and reproductive goals. 

Navigating PH in children often leads to questions about treatments, long-term outcomes, and advances in research. This session for families and caregivers will discuss current treatments and investigational therapies for pediatric PH. You'll learn how treatments work, advanced therapeutic approaches, and therapies in clinical trials showing promise. We'll also discuss how treatment decisions are made, how to partner with your care team, and key questions to ask about treatment options. 

Take a closer look at PH and lung disease including PH associated with COPD, interstitial lung disease and sleep apnea. Learn about common symptoms, diagnostic tests to monitor your conditions and treatment approaches to help manage both conditions effectively.  

Explore how a PH diagnosis can affect relationships, body image, and intimacy from a feminine perspective. This session designed for femme-of-center individuals, features panelists who will share personal experiences, insights and strategies to help  navigate these changes. 
A parallel session for men and masculine-of-center attendees is offered at the same time, along with other topics. Choose the one that best fits your needs. 

Explore how a PH diagnosis can affect identity, relationships, body image and intimacy from a masculine perspective. This session designed for masculine-of-center individuals, features panelists who will share personal experiences, insights and strategies to help navigate these changes. 
A parallel session for women and femme-of-center attendees is offered at the same time, along with other topics. Choose the one that best fits your needs. 

This session brings together parents and health care professionals to share practical tips and resources for supporting children and teens with PH. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, panelists will explore:
•    Transitioning from pediatric to adult PH care.
•    The effect of puberty on PH management.
•    Key medical and legal documentation families should know.  

Both the symptoms of PH and the side effects of PH treatment can be challenging. Learn how to manage common side effects of PH therapies to maintain quality of life for both adults and children.
*This session includes content relevant to children and adults with PH. 

Caring for someone with PH can be deeply meaningful but also challenging. This session will help parents and caregivers recognize signs of anxiety, depression and burnout in themselves. Lean about maintaining balance and resilience through community connection and tools tor seeking support and communicating needs. 

Living with PH can have emotional and physical challenges. This session focuses on understanding and managing anxiety and depression for patients. Learn how to recognize when to ask for help and who to turn to for support. Learn and share coping strategies that promote well-being, resilience and connection.