Pulmonary hypertension is a disorder of high blood pressure that affects the lungs and the right side of the heart. The disorder is degenerative, and can be fatal. Side effects include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and chest pains. As the arteries that bring blood to the lungs become blocked, the heart must pump harder, sometimes dangerously raising blood pressure levels. Mild exercise can help ease symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.
Karlman Wasserman
Karlman Wasserman is one of the leading researchers studying pulmonary diseases and functioning. His work on exercise and pulmonary disease has been widely published in academic journals and several books. In an article published in 2001 by the American Heart Association, Wasserman and his team researched the effects of exercise on patients with pulmonary hypertension. They found that pulmonary hypertension patients suffer from "exercise intolerance" due to chronic fatigue and shortness of breath.
Exercise
Doctors recommend mild exercise for most patients with pulmonary hypertension. The body is affected in different ways by this condition, depending on the individual, so always consult with your doctor to create an exercise plan specific to your condition and level of fitness. Pulmonary Hypertension Central advises to avoid exercising in adverse weather conditions such as excessive heat, cold or mugginess, and recommends mild exercise for 30 minutes or under. Appropriate exercise activities include walking around a track or on a treadmill. Avoid excessive strength training, especially when it targets both the top and bottom of the body.
Benefits
Exercise can help to oxygenate the blood cells and may dilate the arterial walls. Exercise is also linked with lower levels of depression and a greater sense of well-being. Mild exercise may reduce the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, and in a study published in "Circulation Journal" in 2006, exercise was shown to reduce symptoms at a level comparable with drug treatments.
Considerations
According to clinical trials performed by Wasserman and his research team, most patients with pulmonary hypertension find exercising for long periods of time difficult. During one study, 35 women with pulmonary hypertension where asked to ride a stationary bicycle until they fatigued. The average ride was only a few minutes, and the longest ride clocked in at 14 minutes. Of the tested patients, 49 percent complained of leg fatigue and 43 percent complained of shortness of breath.
