The Role of Early Diagnosis in Pulmonary Hypertension Management

Season 6 – Episode 3
with Dr. Nathan Brunner

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Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Early Diagnosis and Hope for Patients

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rare, serious, and often missed. Yet with early diagnosis and coordinated care, many patients can live well for years.

About this Episode

In Episode 3 of the RESPIPLUS podcast series, Dr. Jean Bourbeau is joined by cardiologist Dr. Nathan Brunner to discuss pulmonary arterial hypertension through a cardiology lens. The episode focuses on why early detection matters, how multidisciplinary teams improve care, and what happens when diagnosis is delayed.

Dr. Brunner also shares insights from his research on healthcare access, including rural and Indigenous populations, and outlines emerging opportunities in diagnostics and therapy that may shape the future of pulmonary hypertension care in Canada.

Today you will learn

Why pulmonary arterial hypertension is frequently diagnosed late
How early intervention improves outcomes and reduces treatment burden
When clinicians should suspect PAH in patients with breathlessness
Why a multidisciplinary approach is essential in PH clinics
How inequities in access affect rural and Indigenous communities
Why optimism matters when supporting patients and families
How research and technology may improve future diagnosis and care

Our Special Guest

Dr. Nathan Brunner is a Canadian cardiologist, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, and a leading voice in pulmonary vascular medicine. He practices at Vancouver General Hospital and the Centre for Lung Health, where he specializes in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Dr. Brunner completed a pulmonary hypertension fellowship at Stanford University and has published extensively in clinical research. His work also focuses on healthcare disparities, including outcomes for Indigenous populations affected by pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Resources to go Deeper

Canadian Thoracic Society AATD Guidelines: Read the latest clinical recommendations. View the full article

Learn more about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

PHA Canada

Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS)

Canadian Thoracic Society

Continue Learning: Accredited Course on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

For healthcare professionals looking to deepen their expertise in pulmonary arterial hypertension, we offer a free, accredited online course designed to strengthen diagnostic confidence and improve treatment decision-making.

PAH in Practice: A Case-based Online Learning Program for Better Patient Care

This is a concise, case based learning program that covers:

Early identification of high risk patients
Key diagnostic tools and referral pathways
How to distinguish PAH from other PH groups
Evidence based treatment strategies and follow up
Practical scenarios to apply guideline based care

This activity is an Accredited Section 3 Self-Assessment Program (Royal College MOC), developed in collaboration with leading Canadian experts.

This program is co-developed by the Canadian Thoracic Society, Respiplus and Merck and is planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.

The course is available until September 30th 2026 and is offered in English only.

RESPIPLUS™ received support from Merck to develop an informative podcast series specifically tailored to Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Collaborating Organizations

This podcast series was developed with the valuable collaboration of several organizations committed to improving care and awareness for individuals living with Pulmonary Hypertension:

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