Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery or lung vasculature, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms, all of which are exacerbated by exertion. Depending on the cause, pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with a markedly decreased exercise tolerance and right-sided heart failure.
Hi everyone,
I am 35 years old and have a 18 mo old and a wonderful husband. I am a teacher for the deaf here in west palm beach, florida. I was told by my cardiologist that I have an enlarged atruim, elevated pressures in my lung, and regurgitation of mitral as well as tricepid valves. I am scheduled for a cath in about a month. I am reading they have to do a cath before diagnosis. I am having truble sleeping and my anxiety is through the roof! The thought of this disease doing me in so soon is absolutely mind numbingling awful. So anyone else out there who has advice for me? Any experiences with the mayo clinic in florida or cleveland clinic in cleveland? Am I a lame duck till they do the cath?
Any other runners out there? I love to run but afraid now!
I was diagnosed with ph based on the cardiac echo and my symptoms but when they went in for the cath the pressure was elevated but below the clinical cutoff for the diagnosis so try not to get ahead of yourself. I know it's hard. They are still monitoring me for the next year.
Before the cath my cardiologist said exercise was ok but to ease back if I felt any pain. The exercise puts a short term strain on your heart while reducing the strain on your heart when not exercising which is more of the time.
I ordered the patient survival guide from https://phassociation.org/patients/resources/survival-guide/ and found it fairly comprehensive about what to expect.
Good luck.