You are using a browser that is not supported by this site. The site will not function properly. Please switch to the latest version of a supported browser such as Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox to use this site.

Prioritize Your Heart Function

Changes to your heart happen first

Your heart is divided into 2 sides—right and left—and each side consists of an atrium and a ventricle. PAH directly impacts the function of your right ventricle, which your doctor may generally refer to as your “right heart” or the “right side of your heart.” You can learn more about the different parts of your heart and how they all work together by visiting www.PAHinitiative.com.

In PAH, changes to the right side of your heart are the first signs your disease may be getting worse—or improving. Unlike the symptoms you may physically feel, such as shortness of breath, these changes are not always noticeable. That’s why it’s so important to consistently check your right heart function, even if you’re not currently feeling additional symptoms.

Image showing PAH heart changes and stages of disease progression

*Your doctor can spot changes in your heart using an echocardiogram or a right heart catheterization.

^†When your heart works harder than usual, it releases higher levels of a substance called NT-proBNP into your bloodstream. Doctors measure NT-proBNP levels with a blood test and look at the results to see if your heart is under more strain, which may be a sign of worsening PAH.

It’s Important To Regularly Check Your Heart Function

An echocardiogram is a test that measures the size, shape, and function of your heart. Your doctor may look for signs of mild, moderate, or severe PAH in your echocardiogram results to help determine your level of risk—and the best path forward.

PAH guidelines recommend that an echocardiogram is performed every 3-6 months to help your doctor check for potential progression—or improvement—in a timely manner.

These guidelines can also help your doctor evaluate your risk status. For those who are at intermediate risk, or have moderate PAH, it may also help your doctor determine where you fall within that spectrum—either closer to mild or severe PAH. By taking all of this into account, you and your doctor can work together to create a plan that meets your specific needs.

Get more information on how regularly monitoring your right heart function and risk status can help you and your doctor make decisions about your care.

Learn More

What steps can I take now and in the near future to help my doctor provide the best possible care for me?

You have an important role to play when it comes to your PAH, and it’s important to partner with your healthcare team to determine the best path forward.

Talk to your doctor about PAH, your risk status, and the steps you should take to help meet your specific needs and lifestyle
Keep track of your symptoms and share them with your doctor at follow-up visits
- The PAH Symptom Journal within the PAH Initiative Learning Library makes it easy to track your symptoms
Be open and honest with your doctor about how you’re currently feeling, and what you hope to accomplish in the near future (ie, run daily errands or take a family vacation)
- By setting both short- and long-term goals with your doctor, you can feel more confident with the decisions you both make to help you get there
- Download a helpful Doctor Discussion Tool

NT-proBNP=N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide.

Have a really good talk with your doctor. First thing is, what are your goals? And make sure your doctor knows that whatever they might be.

—A patient with PAH

Learn More About Your PAH

Remodulin^® (treprostinil) Injection

Important Safety Information for Remodulin

Before you take Remodulin, tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have other medical conditions or take other medicines that may affect your use of Remodulin by increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing the drug’s effectiveness.
Have liver or kidney problems. Your Remodulin dose may need to be adjusted if you have liver problems.
Have low blood pressure or bleeding problems.
Are taking gemfibrozil (for high cholesterol), rifampin (for infection) or other drugs that affect liver enzymes. Your doctor may need to adjust your Remodulin dosage.
Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Remodulin will harm your unborn baby or if Remodulin passes into your breast milk.

What are the serious side effects of Remodulin?

Continuous intravenous (IV) infusions of Remodulin delivered using an external infusion pump, with a tube placed in a central vein within the chest, are associated with the risk of blood stream infections and sepsis, which may be fatal. Therefore, continuous subcutaneous (SC) infusion delivered just beneath the skin is the preferred type of delivery.
Worsening of PAH symptoms. Do not stop taking or greatly reduce your Remodulin dose without consulting your doctor.
Low blood pressure (symptomatic hypotension). If you have low blood pressure or are taking drugs that lower your blood pressure, the risk of low blood pressure is increased.
Bleeding problems. Remodulin may increase the risk of bleeding in people who take blood thinners (anticoagulants).

What are the possible side effects of Remodulin?

In clinical studies of SC infusion of Remodulin, most people experienced infusion site pain and infusion site reaction (redness, swelling, and rash). These symptoms were sometimes severe and sometimes required treatment with narcotics or discontinuation of Remodulin.
IV infusion of Remodulin delivered through an external pump has been associated with the risk of blood stream infections, arm swelling, tingling sensations, bruising, and pain.
The most common side effects seen with either SC or IV Remodulin were headache, diarrhea, nausea, rash, jaw pain, widening of the blood vessels (vasodilatation), and swelling from fluid retention (edema). These are not all the possible side effects of Remodulin. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive.

What is Remodulin?

Remodulin is a prescription medication used to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; WHO Group 1), which is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Remodulin can reduce symptoms associated with exercise. Remodulin was studied mainly in patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms. It is not known if Remodulin is safe and effective in children.

In people with PAH who need to switch from epoprostenol, Remodulin is approved to slow the worsening of symptoms.

REMISIconMAY2021

To learn more about Remodulin, talk with your healthcare provider. Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.remodulin.com or call Customer Service at 1-877-UNITHER (1-877-864-8437).

PAH=pulmonary arterial hypertension; WHO=World Health Organization.

Remodulin^® (treprostinil) Injection

Important Safety Information for Remodulin

Before you take Remodulin, tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have other medical conditions or take other medicines that may affect your use of Remodulin by increasing the risk of side effects or decreasing the drug’s effectiveness.
Have liver or kidney problems. Your Remodulin dose may need to be adjusted if you have liver problems.
Have low blood pressure or bleeding problems.
Are taking gemfibrozil (for high cholesterol), rifampin (for infection) or other drugs that affect liver enzymes. Your doctor may need to adjust your Remodulin dosage.
Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Remodulin will harm your unborn baby or if Remodulin passes into your breast milk.

What are the serious side effects of Remodulin?

Continuous intravenous (IV) infusions of Remodulin delivered using an external infusion pump, with a tube placed in a central vein within the chest, are associated with the risk of blood stream infections and sepsis, which may be fatal. Therefore, continuous subcutaneous (SC) infusion delivered just beneath the skin is the preferred type of delivery.
Worsening of PAH symptoms. Do not stop taking or greatly reduce your Remodulin dose without consulting your doctor.
Low blood pressure (symptomatic hypotension). If you have low blood pressure or are taking drugs that lower your blood pressure, the risk of low blood pressure is increased.
Bleeding problems. Remodulin may increase the risk of bleeding in people who take blood thinners (anticoagulants).

What are the possible side effects of Remodulin?

In clinical studies of SC infusion of Remodulin, most people experienced infusion site pain and infusion site reaction (redness, swelling, and rash). These symptoms were sometimes severe and sometimes required treatment with narcotics or discontinuation of Remodulin.
IV infusion of Remodulin delivered through an external pump has been associated with the risk of blood stream infections, arm swelling, tingling sensations, bruising, and pain.
The most common side effects seen with either SC or IV Remodulin were headache, diarrhea, nausea, rash, jaw pain, widening of the blood vessels (vasodilatation), and swelling from fluid retention (edema). These are not all the possible side effects of Remodulin. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive.

What is Remodulin?

In people with PAH who need to switch from epoprostenol, Remodulin is approved to slow the worsening of symptoms.

REMISIconMAY2021

To learn more about Remodulin, talk with your healthcare provider. Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.remodulin.com or call Customer Service at 1-877-UNITHER (1-877-864-8437).

PAH=pulmonary arterial hypertension; WHO=World Health Organization.