Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension or PAH is an unusual but severe medical condition. In this disorder, the arteries that are responsible for carrying the blood to the lungs become narrow. As a result, the blood is unable to flow freely, and the arteries cannot carry the blood to the organs normally. Due to this, the pressure increases. This high blood pressure or hypertension forces the heart to work harder, resulting in its weakening.

Prevention and treatment of PAH
Let us take a look at the preventive measures and treatment options of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Prevention

• Get adequate rest
  Your body needs rest to perform better and reduce fatigue, which is a common PAH symptom.

• Be physically active
  For a some people with PAH, mild activities are exhausting too. However, for some, moderate exercising like walking can bring in good benefits.

• Quit smoking
  Smoking has a direct impact on your heart and lungs. So, it is best to give up the habit.

• Avoid birth control pills and pregnancy
  Birth control pills put you at risk of blood clots. So, you should seek alternative birth control forms. Further, it is best to avoid getting pregnant. However, if you get pregnant, you should discuss the complications with your doctor before proceeding further.

• Keep away from high altitudes
  High altitudes aggravate the symptoms; so, it is best to live at altitudes lower than 8000 feet.

• Avoid situations, which can cause low blood pressure
  Anything that causes prolonged pressure on the heart must be avoided. This includes hot sauna or showers or lifting heavyweights.

• Manage your weight
  Eat healthily and control your weight. Avoid the inclusion of a lot of salt, trans fat, cholesterol, or saturated fats in your diet.

Treatment
At present, there is no definitive cure for PAH. However, there are a few treatment options that reduce the spread or progression of the disease.

• Medications
  Medications will help reduce the further growth within the arteries and relax your blood vessels. You will be prescribed medicines such as calcium channel blockers, prostanoids, and sildenafil for the treatment. There is also a medicine called digoxin, which strengthens the heart, and makes it beat faster. At times, you will be suggested a diuretic that lowers the blood pressure and reduces the body’s fluid levels. Different medications might also be prescribed to treat medical conditions, which cause PAH.

• Atrial septostomy
  It is a procedure that the doctors perform to boost the blood flow. Through this process, the doctor will insert a catheter into the atria via an artery. Then a tiny balloon is inflated at the tip of the catheter. It boosts the blood flow into the heart and eases you from the growing pressure.

• Lung transplant
  In some severe cases, a lung transplant might be needed.

• Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy
  At times, there is a small blood clot present in your lung, which might dissolve over time by itself. However, if the clot is present in the pulmonary artery, a surgeon will have to remove it. It is known as pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.

So, these are all the preventive measures and treatment options of pulmonary arterial hypertension.