Living With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Many people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
(PAH) do not look sick. Many feel perfectly well most of the time, as long as
they do not strain themselves physically. In the early stages of the disease,
many are able to go to school or work on a full- or part-time basis.
Relaxation exercises and stress reduction activities
may help many people with PAH keep up with their regular activities for a
while. Having a positive attitude is also helpful.
Walking is good exercise for many people with PAH.
Advanced patients who find walking too exhausting may use a wheelchair or
motorized scooter. Others stay busy with activities that are not of a physical
nature.
Some people with advanced PAH carry portable oxygen
when they go out.
Ongoing medical care is important. Treatment by a
cardiologist or pulmonologist (pull-mon-OL-o-gist) who specializes in pulmonary
vascular medicine is usually recommended. These specialists are usually located
at major medical centers.
PAH patients should also eat a healthy diet and get
plenty of rest, and they should not smoke.
Situations that can make PAH symptoms worse are:
- Living at high altitudes or traveling to
high-altitude areas where the air is thin and the amount of oxygen in the air
is low
- Air travel
- Pregnancy
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