LIVING WITH PH
“She asked,
‘You women go through all of this every day?’ and
we said, ‘Yes, we do. We do and we have no choice because we
want to live.’”
—PH patient Diane Ramirez,
on former U.S. Senator Elizabeth
Dole’s reaction to medicating for
PH
Pulmonary hypertension is a life-changing illness, but although lifestyle changes may be necessary, many patients continue to lead fulfilling lives. Whether working, traveling or performing day-to-day tasks, PH patients benefit from the experience of thousands of other patients who have learned to manage their illness. Much of this knowledge is shared in PHA’s Patient's Survival Guide, a regularly updated and definitive resource for learning about and living with PH.
Explore this section to find tips for maintaining a healthy physical, social and emotional lifestyle; learn how to prepare for travel; and learn what to do if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
For a great reference to share with new patients and caregivers, order our free 10 Things to Do When Diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension wallet card.
Discover strategies and advice from fellow patients for simplifying your daily routine.
Find out how to efficiently manage your PH medications and deal with their various side effects.
Discover how to prepare both yourself and your local responders in case of an emergency.
Learn about how you, your family and your friends can cope day to day with the social and emotional effects of PH.
Get information on your rights in the workplace and learn ways to keep up with your job while managing PH.
Learn how to manage sodium and fluid intake and find information on using dietary supplements.
Exercise and PH
Find advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle while observing limited physical activity.
Read about what to keep in mind when traveling and how to make arrangements with your travel provider to accommodate oxygen and other needs.
Learn how to anticipate your body's response to changes in weather and altitude.