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Moderate Portopulmonary Hypertension Need Not Preclude Liver Transplantation
Cite this articleModerate portopulmonary hypertension need not preclude liver transplantation. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 3, 655–656 (2006). Https://doi.Org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0647
Share this article Get shareable linkHow To Reverse Pulmonary Hypertension Naturally
Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors may help lower blood pressure in your lungs and ease your symptoms. For example, you can try adjusting your diet, exercising more, and avoiding stimulants.
Pulmonary hypertension happens when blood pressure in the arteries supplying blood to your lungs is abnormally high. Over time, this can weaken your heart and lungs, leading to complications like trouble breathing and tiredness.
While there isn't a cure for the condition, medications, treatments, and lifestyle changes can help.
Read on to learn more about healthy lifestyle behaviors that can assist in managing your pulmonary hypertension.
Regular aerobic exercise can help you keep your heart healthy. This is especially important because keeping your heart and lungs functioning at their best can be difficult with pulmonary hypertension.
A 2021 study suggests that a supervised exercise-based rehabilitation program is generally safe for most people with pulmonary hypertension who are otherwise medically stable. It found that the program could increase their capacity to do more exercise.
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association recommends the following strategies when starting a new physical activity program:
Sodium is an electrolyte that your body needs to function properly. Consuming too much can make you retain large amounts of fluid, which can increase your blood pressure.
By reducing the sodium in your diet, you can help prevent your pulmonary hypertension from getting worse.
A 2018 study suggests that managing fluid retention is a key part of keeping pulmonary hypertension under control. If your fluid levels are too high, your doctor might recommend medications such as diuretics.
In addition to limiting your sodium intake, you should also make some careful dietary choices.
For example, you might want to make sure you're getting enough vitamin D and iron. A 2020 report found that people with pulmonary hypertension were more likely to be deficient in these nutrients. However, only a blood test can tell you actually have an iron or vitamin D deficiency.
Generally, a heart-healthy eating plan — such as the Mediterranean diet or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet — will provide you with a range of healthy vitamins and minerals. Both diets emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
If you have pulmonary hypertension, you might be taking medications that take extra stress off of your heart and lungs. However, it's important to be aware that not all over-the-counter medications are safe for you to take.
Decongestants and cold medicines can contain stimulants such as pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. You should either avoid these entirely or only take them if a doctor says it's OK.
Smoking is not only a major risk factor for developing pulmonary hypertension, but it's also a behavior that can make existing symptoms even worse. Second-hand smoke exposure is also dangerous.
If you need help quitting smoking, talk with your healthcare team about the latest in products and programs that may be helpful.
Even if you've tried to quit before but been unsuccessful, it's even more important to give it a try again if you have been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. You can also contact the tobacco quit line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Poor sleep is associated with health problems like high blood pressure and obesity. You can improve your health by prioritizing sleep quality and quantity. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night.
Some people with pulmonary hypertension also have a breathing condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which means you stop breathing during your sleep. If you have OSA, it's especially important to be aggressive and consistent in managing your pulmonary hypertension.
A 2021 study suggests that about 1 in 5 people with OSA have or develop pulmonary hypertension. Their outcomes tend to be worse than people with OSA and no pulmonary hypertension.
Certain external conditions can exacerbate pulmonary hypertension symptoms because they put strain on the heart and lungs. Therefore, you may need to avoid taking very hot baths or showers and steer clear of saunas and hot tubs.
In addition, spending time in high altitudes can tax the lungs and worsen pulmonary hypertension.
While natural treatments and healthy lifestyle changes may help improve your symptoms, they should not be viewed as replacements for evidence-based treatments.
If you have been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, be sure to discuss all treatment options and lifestyle adjustments you can make to reverse or at least better manage your symptoms.
It often takes a combination of approaches to control this serious cardiovascular condition.
What Is Postpartum Hypertension?
Postpartum hypertension can develop shortly after giving birth, even without a history of high blood pressure. It often has no symptoms but can lead to serious complications if not treated.
Postpartum hypertension refers to high blood pressure shortly after pregnancy. It's possible to develop this condition even if you have a healthy blood pressure while pregnant.
Unlike postpartum preeclampsia, which involves both high blood pressure and high urine protein levels, postpartum hypertension only affects blood pressure. However, both conditions are considered dangerous and can lead to serious complications.
Here's what you need to know about postpartum hypertension, including possible symptoms, complications, and treatment options.
Several studies and clinical reviews note that about 10% of pregnancies involve hypertensive disorders. These include gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
Postpartum hypertension research is more recent. As a 2022 study found, hypertension post-pregnancy may occur more often than previously thought.
The exact cause of postpartum hypertension isn't clear. While a history of high blood pressure may put you at higher risk, it's possible to develop hypertension after pregnancy, even if you've never had it before.
Some of the possible causes or risk factors include:
Typically, a "normal" blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) or lower. An elevated reading is between 120/80 and 129/80, while you may receive a diagnosis of hypertension if your blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
With postpartum hypertension, your blood pressure may be above 140/90 mmHg. You may develop high blood pressure within a few days after giving birth, but you may not realize it without regular blood pressure readings.
The exact timeline for postpartum hypertension varies. Some cases may last a few days, while others may persist for a few months. If postpartum hypertension lasts longer than this, a doctor may consider evaluating you for a different cause of high blood pressure.
Also, while postpartum hypertension may develop within a few days of giving birth, one 2020 review noted that females who experience preeclampsia have a high risk of developing hypertension within 2 years of giving birth.
Unfortunately, postpartum hypertension is difficult to detect because high blood pressure doesn't cause noticeable symptoms. The only way you can confirm postpartum hypertension is by measuring your blood pressure.
Symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia, on the other hand, may include high blood pressure along with:
When left undiagnosed and untreated, it's possible for postpartum hypertension to cause serious complications.
Such health risks are similar to general hypertension. These complications may include:
Furthermore, a 2021 clinical trial estimates that women who experience hypertension during pregnancy are four times more likely to eventually develop long-term blood pressure issues.
Postpartum hypertension is highly treatable when detected early. The exact treatment varies depending on how severe your high blood pressure is. Most people with a blood pressure of 160/110 mm Hg may be treated with medications at home, such as:
These types of medications also help treat non-pregnancy-related hypertension. Possible side effects can vary by medication class and may include:
The amount of time you need to take these medications depends on how well your hypertension responds. You may need to take them for several weeks or up to 3 months.
While postpartum hypertension may be safely treated while breastfeeding or chestfeeding, it is advisable to avoid certain medications. These include angiotensin II receptor blockers and diuretics.
Additionally, a doctor will regularly monitor your condition after postpartum hypertension treatment because of an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the long term. They might also recommend long-term lifestyle measures beyond pregnancy and nursing, such as:
Postpartum hypertension refers to high blood pressure that develops after childbirth. Recent studies indicate that this condition may be more prevalent than previously thought, and it may increase your long-term risk of hypertension and related conditions.
Hypertension doesn't cause symptoms, so it's important to take regular blood pressure readings after giving birth. If you are concerned about postpartum hypertension and have risk factors for this condition, consider talking with a doctor about screenings.
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