What is PPH and PAH ?

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), also called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), is a rare disorder that leads to high blood pressure in the lungs. The blood vessels constrict, causing high pressure in the pulmonary artery, which connects the heart to the lungs, to rise. This chokes off the flow of blood between the heart and lungs, causing dizziness exhaustion, fainting and finally heart failure. PPH is a condition whereby the blood vessels that surround the heart become constricted, thereby increasing the pressure on the circulatory system in the lungs. The PPH symptoms often include shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, swelling in the ankles or legs, bluish lips and skin, racing pulse or palpitations, and fainting. 

PPH Diet Drugs

PAH & PPH are linked to use of the diet drug Fen Phen, Pondimin, Redux, many ephedra products and other over the counter diet aids.  Fen Phen, Pondimin & Redux recall started  on September 15, 1997, under pressure from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).American Home Products Corporation withdrew from the market its diet drugs Pondimin (fenfluramine) and Redux (dexfenfluramine). Fen Phen, a combination of Pondimin and a mild stimulant called phentermine, was widely prescribed for weight loss. AT the height of the diet drug or phen fen craze there were more than 18 million prescriptions written for Fen Phen in the United States alone.. The FDA Fen Phen recall (request for withdrawal of the diet drugs) came after the Mayo Clinic released medical research indicating rare heart valve disease in patients who took Fen Phen diet drugs, Pondimin & Redux..