Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Why Is This Deadly Illness Still Misdiagnosed?
Season 6 – Episode 1
with Jamie Myrah
Listen to the eXpand Podcast and join experts clinicians as we dive into chronic lung diseases and eXpand your practice.
Kicking off Season 6 of The eXpand Podcast, we turn to pulmonary arterial hypertension, exploring its challenges in diagnosis, treatment pathways, and the role of community support.
About this Episode
In this Season 6 episode, we sit down with Jamie Myrah, Executive Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada. Interviewed by Dr. Jean Bourbeau, Jamie explores the complexity of pulmonary hypertension with a focus on pulmonary arterial hypertension. She explains what PAH is, why it is often difficult to diagnose, and how delays affect patients emotionally and socially.
From her front-line perspective, Jamie highlights gaps in the healthcare system, the impact of specialized clinics, and how patient stories fuel advocacy, research, and access to treatments. The conversation underscores the urgent need for better diagnostic tools and the power of community support for people living with this rare disease.
Today You Will Learn:
What pulmonary arterial hypertension is and how it fits within the spectrum of pulmonary hypertension
Why a PAH diagnosis can take two years or more and which early signs deserve attention
How misdiagnosis and uncertainty affect mental health and social connection
Why timely access to primary care speeds referral and treatment initiation
Our Special Guest
Jamie Myrah serves as the Executive Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada (PHA Canada), a role she has held since January 2016. As the organization’s first Executive Director, she oversees all operations, including program delivery, governance, strategic planning, public and government relations, and fund development. Her leadership focuses on improving the lives of those affected by pulmonary hypertension across Canada.
Jamie Myrah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Simon Fraser University and has pursued legal studies, reflecting her dedication to bridging community initiatives with policy frameworks.
Under her guidance, PHA Canada has celebrated significant milestones, such as its 10th anniversary, and has launched initiatives like the “Sometimes It’s PH” campaign to raise awareness among healthcare providers. She continues to advocate tirelessly for equitable access to care and supports for individuals living with pulmonary 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
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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