Lucas
JANUARY 28, 2002 - MARCH 2nd, 2021

When 4-year-old Lucas didn’t have the energy to play like other kids his age, there were lots of doctor visits but few answers. He had been on a downward trajectory for the better part of a year. We noticed that he was sluggish and not feeling well. Lucas was misdiagnosed with asthma.

Though Lucas cannot participate in gym class, he has developed a passion for the arts. He really enjoys cartooning, particularly drawing with a pencil. He enjoys taking nature hikes and going to the beach. His favorite food is sushi, but we don’t take him out to sushi restaurants too often because his tastes are too expensive!

~Steve, Lucas’ Dad

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs is higher than normal. One type of pulmonary hypertension is pulmonary arterial
hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary hypertension can happen on its own or be caused by another disease or condition. In the United States, the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension is left heart disease. Other conditions that can cause pulmonary hypertension include sickle cell disease, pulmonary
embolus, which is a type of venous thromboembolism, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The increased pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs means that your heart must work harder to pump blood into the lungs. This can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness. If left untreated, the increased pressure can damage the heart. This may lead to serious or life-threatening complications, such as heart failure or arrhythmias.

Artist: Nan Kruzik