Colleen Brunetti, 38, of West Hartford is a mother of two who isn’t letting her pulmonary hypertension (PH) slow her down and credits the care of one institution.

“UConn Health has been my lifeline and by my side all the way,” stresses Brunetti who has PH, a condition that causes high blood pressure in her lungs.

Following the birth of her son in 2006, Brunetti was struggling to get back to her normal activity level. She thought her inability to bounce back was just the result of the extra baby weight and exhaustion of having a newborn. But then her symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and heart palpitations persisted and started to get worse and worse.

“I felt like I was running out of air,” said Brunetti who was rushed to a local Emergency Room where a chest X-ray revealed her heart was enlarged and her other symptoms pointed to PH. The doctor immediately referred to specialist Dr. Raymond J. Foley, director of the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program at UConn Health.

“In a span of just a couple of weeks, I went from thinking I was totally young and healthy, to being critically ill with pulmonary hypertension,” says Brunetti. “I am grateful that I was immediately referred to UConn for care by the region’s best PH doctor.”

Recently, Dr. Foley’s UConn Health program has been recognized by the national Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) for excellent patient care with designation as a Pulmonary Hypertension Regional Clinical Program.

“Our multidisciplinary team of experts comprehensively care for each PH patient’s unique needs using the latest evidence-based medicine and guidelines to closely manage their complex condition, while improving their quality of life and outcomes,” says Foley.

“Dr. Foley and his team medically intervened early in my diagnosis and improved my condition,” says Brunetti. “UConn Health is always there for me and gives me access to the latest and greatest medical advice, and the new innovative therapies that are emerging for PH patients. I am also especially grateful for Diahann Wilcox, APRN of the practice, who has been so supportive of my patient care needs inside and outside of the clinic.”

PH makes it more difficult for vital oxygenated blood to reach the lungs and can lead to the heart’s overworking causing it to become enlarged. If the condition is not managed closely it can lead to heart failure and may be life-threatening. According to Foley, experts still don’t really know what causes the rare PH condition which can strike men and women of all ages.

Women in their child-bearing years tend to be at higher risk for PH. Women with a known PH diagnosis are highly advised not to carry a pregnancy since there is only a 50 percent chance of survival due to the added strain a pregnancy can place on a woman’s lungs and heart.

“I am really lucky to have survived my pregnancy with my son,” says Brunetti who two years ago was overjoyed to successfully adopt her daughter.

“Right now there is so much hope out there for us pulmonary hypertension patients,” says Brunetti. “Don’t ever lose hope and remember to take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit.”

Brunetti advocates for PH patients as a member of the board for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Also, as an accomplished author of the book “Defining the New Normal: A Guide to Becoming More than Your Diagnosis” she is helping patients define themselves beyond their medical diagnosis.

Foley adds: “We are so happy to help pulmonary hypertension patients like Colleen keep living life to the fullest while maintaining their quality of life and energy, especially raising precious little children.”

To learn more about the services of UConn Health’s Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program visit, here.