7 Reasons Why Pulmonary Rehabilitation Is Important For PH Patients

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) should be part of the treatment plan for any chronic lung disease, including pulmonary hypertension. It’s a combination of exercise, breathing techniques, diet and education that aims to help give patients a better quality of life and be able to have more control over their symptoms.

We’ve compiled a list of reasons why pulmonary rehabilitation is important for pulmonary hypertension patients based on information from the British Lung Foundation and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

1. Disease Education
Pulmonary rehabilitation will include education about your specific lung disease. It will give you the opportunity to find out about the latest treatment methods, therapies, and medications relevant to pulmonary hypertension. It will also help you figure out how to take your medications and what to do if you’re feeling unwell.

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2. Diet Advice
Pulmonary rehabilitation will give you diet advice that’s specific to the needs of a pulmonary hypertension patient, which may differ significantly to that of someone who has other health problems.

3. Exercise
The pulmonary rehabilitation program will include physical exercise which aims to improve muscle strength and overall health. Exercise is now seen as an important part of treatment for pulmonary hypertension and PR will take you through a regimen that is tailored to your physical capabilities.

4. Breathing Strategies
Pulmonary rehabilitation will teach you about different breathing strategies and exercises you can do to help when your breathing becomes difficult.

MORE: Discover some breathing exercises that can help pulmonary hypertension patients

5. Help With Fatigue
As you get stronger, through the exercise regimen designed in your pulmonary rehabilitation, you should start to feel stronger, less tired and able to sleep better.

6. Improve Quality of Life
The rehabilitation is designed to help you get stronger over time, so you can walk further distances and get back some of your independence.

7. Offer Support and Friendship
Pulmonary rehabilitation sessions are often group sessions so this gives you the opportunity to meet people who are in the same position as you. Not only will the sessions be social, but you’ll be able to help one another out, share experiences and support each other.

MORE: Discover seven interesting facts about pulmonary hypertension

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