The 11+ Best Ways Reverse Pulmonary Hypertension (2024)

Pulmonary hypertension is a health condition characterized by increased blood pressure within the arteries of the lungs. As this pressure builds, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the lungs, leading to serious health complications.

While there is no definitive cure for pulmonary hypertension, certain lifestyle changes and natural methods can help manage the condition, potentially slowing its progression and enhancing overall well-being.

This article will explore a variety of natural strategies to reverse the impacts of pulmonary hypertension and promote better health outcomes.

What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in your lungs and the right side of your heart. It is characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, or pulmonary capillaries.

In pulmonary hypertension, the blood vessels in the lungs are narrowed, blocked, or destroyed. This makes it hard for blood to flow through the lungs, causing the pressure in the pulmonary arteries to rise.

The heart’s right ventricle has to pump harder to push blood through these narrowed arteries, leading to it becoming weak or failing over time.

How to Reverse Pulmonary Hypertension Naturally

1. Adopt a balanced, low-sodium diet
2. Engage in gentle, regular exercise
3. Maintain a healthy weight
4. Practice stress management techniques
5. Quit smoking
6. Limit alcohol intake
7. Avoid high altitudes
8. Stay hydrated
9. Get adequate sleep
10. Monitor blood pressure at home
11. Use supplemental oxygen therapy

1. Adopt a balanced, low-sodium diet

For patients with pulmonary hypertension, dietary choices can significantly impact their health. A balanced diet, featuring fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, offers a multitude of nutrients essential for overall health and maintaining heart function.

Moreover, a low-sodium diet is crucial as it helps prevent fluid buildup, relieving the pressure on the heart and lungs.

Therefore, sodium intake should be carefully managed, focusing on fresh foods and avoiding processed or pre-packaged items.

2. Engage in gentle, regular exercise

The importance of physical activity for individuals with pulmonary hypertension cannot be overstated.

However, the extent and intensity of the exercise should be tailored to individual capability, under the guidance of a healthcare provider, to avoid undue strain on the heart and lungs.

Gradually build your strength through exercises like walking and cycling on a stationary bike. Start with a comfortable distance or duration and slowly increase it as per your doctor’s recommendations.

3. Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight results in additional pressure on the heart and lungs, exacerbating the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. Hence, it’s vital for individuals with this condition to strive for a healthy weight.

This can be achieved by a combination of a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Consulting a healthcare provider or a nutritionist can offer personalized guidance to reach and maintain an optimal weight while ensuring nutritional needs are met.

4. Practice stress management techniques

Living with pulmonary hypertension can be stressful, and chronic stress can worsen the symptoms.

It’s crucial to incorporate stress management techniques, such as yoga, mindfulness, or meditation, into daily routines.

These techniques can help reduce stress levels, induce relaxation, improve mental health, and consequently contribute to better disease management. Regular practice can also improve sleep quality, enhancing overall well-being.

5. Quit smoking

Smoking can aggravate pulmonary hypertension as it inflicts further harm on the already damaged pulmonary arteries. It’s vital, therefore, to quit smoking or refrain from starting the habit altogether.

This step, albeit challenging, has significant benefits for lung health and in slowing the progression of pulmonary hypertension.

A wide range of support systems and smoking cessation methods, including counseling and medication, are available to help individuals on this journey.

6. Limit alcohol intake

Alcohol has the potential to alter arterial pressure and could interfere with medications prescribed for pulmonary hypertension.

For these reasons, it’s recommended that alcohol consumption be limited or avoided completely.

If ceasing alcohol use proves difficult, it’s important to seek support from healthcare professionals who can provide resources and strategies to reduce alcohol intake safely and effectively.

7. Avoid high altitudes

Higher altitudes correlate with lower oxygen levels, putting additional stress on the heart and lungs, and potentially exacerbating symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.

For patients with this condition, it’s advisable to reside at or close to sea level, if possible.

When travel to high-altitude locations is unavoidable, precautions such as using supplemental oxygen or medication to prevent altitude sickness may be necessary.

8. Stay hydrated

Proper hydration is crucial for overall health, including heart health. It ensures optimal blood volume, thereby reducing strain on the heart.

However, for those with pulmonary hypertension, hydration needs to be balanced with the risk of fluid retention.

As such, it’s important to follow the guidance of healthcare providers on appropriate fluid intake levels to maintain a healthy balance.

9. Get adequate sleep

Quality sleep is crucial for overall health and specifically for those with pulmonary hypertension. During sleep, the body performs essential restorative functions, including heart repair.

Adequate sleep also helps manage stress and fatigue, common symptoms in pulmonary hypertension.

Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and addressing any underlying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can help ensure restful sleep.

10. Monitor blood pressure at home

Regularly tracking blood pressure at home can help individuals with pulmonary hypertension understand their condition better and promptly detect any significant changes.

Consistent blood pressure monitoring aids in determining how well treatments are working and can provide healthcare professionals with valuable information for managing the disease. Home monitoring should complement, not replace, regular medical check-ups.

A healthcare provider can provide guidance on the correct method and frequency of home blood pressure measurements.

11. Use supplemental oxygen therapy

For some individuals with pulmonary hypertension, supplemental oxygen therapy can be beneficial, particularly if the condition has caused lower-than-normal levels of oxygen in their blood.

Breathing in oxygen through a mask or a nasal cannula can help improve oxygen levels, reducing strain on the heart and easing symptoms like shortness of breath.

Use of this therapy should be under the direction of a healthcare provider, and the equipment must be used correctly for maximum benefit.

Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms

As pulmonary hypertension progresses, symptoms typically become more severe and noticeable. This may include:

1. Shortness of breath (dyspnea), initially while exercising and eventually while at rest.
2. Fatigue or feeling tired all the time.
3. Dizziness or fainting spells (syncope), especially during physical activity.
4. Chest pain or pressure, particularly in the front of the chest.
5. Swelling (edema) in the ankles, legs, and eventually in the abdomen (ascites).
6. Bluish color to the lips and skin (cyanosis).
7. Racing pulse or heart palpitations.
8. Progressive decrease in exercise capacity, leading to a decrease in activities of daily life.

Symptoms can vary significantly among individuals and the severity of symptoms doesn’t always correlate with the severity of the disease.

For example, some people with severe pulmonary hypertension may have few noticeable symptoms, while others with milder forms of the disease may have severe symptoms.

Note: If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis

Diagnosing pulmonary hypertension can be challenging, as its symptoms often mimic those of other common conditions.

However, if PH is suspected based on a patient’s signs, symptoms, and medical history, a variety of tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause. These may include:

• Echocardiogram: This is often the first test done to evaluate for PH. It’s a non-invasive ultrasound test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. It can estimate the pressure in the pulmonary arteries and assess the function of the heart.
• Right Heart Catheterization: This is the gold standard for diagnosing PH. A catheter is inserted into a vein in the neck or groin and guided to the right side of the heart and into the pulmonary artery. This allows direct measurement of the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries and the heart’s chambers.
• Chest X-ray: This can show enlargement of the right side of the heart or the pulmonary arteries, which can occur in PH.
• Pulmonary Function Tests: These tests measure how well the lungs are working, can identify lung diseases that might be causing PH, and also serve as a baseline to evaluate the disease’s progression and response to treatment.
• CT Scan: This can provide detailed images of the lungs and can help identify other conditions that could be causing or contributing to PH, such as lung diseases or blood clots in the lungs.
• Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) Scan: This nuclear medicine test can help identify chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a form of PH caused by old blood clots in the lungs.
• MRI: This uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of the heart and can help evaluate its function and measure blood flow through the pulmonary arteries.
• Blood Tests: These can rule out other possible causes of symptoms, assess liver and kidney function, and measure levels of certain substances in blood, including brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which is often elevated in PH.
• Six-Minute Walk Test: This simple exercise test measures the distance that a patient can quickly walk in a period of six minutes. It helps assess functional capacity, response to therapy, and prognosis in individuals with PH.
• Sleep Studies: These can help diagnose sleep disorders like sleep apnea, which can contribute to PH.

Note: The process of diagnosing PH is complex and requires careful interpretation of multiple test results by a healthcare provider experienced in the management of PH. It’s also crucial to identify the specific type of PH because treatment strategies differ significantly.

How to Manage Pulmonary Hypertension

While pulmonary hypertension is incurable, the aim of therapeutic intervention is to alleviate symptoms and decelerate disease progression. Identifying an effective treatment regimen can be time-consuming, but multiple options are available.

Pulmonary hypertension is often caused by heart disease or lung disorders. In such instances, primary medical efforts are directed toward managing the root causes.

Medication for Pulmonary Hypertension

Treatment for pulmonary hypertension usually involves medication, and the right regimen often requires trialing multiple types. Various drugs are available, including:

• Guanylate cyclase stimulators: They increase nitric oxide, helping relax the pulmonary arteries and lower lung pressure. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, and fainting. Not safe for pregnant women.
• Endothelin receptor antagonists (e.g., Tracleer, Opsumit): They counteract endothelin, a peptide that narrows blood vessels, thus improving energy levels and symptoms. However, they can affect liver function, and monthly blood tests might be necessary. These drugs can harm the fetus and are not recommended during pregnancy.
• Sildenafil and tadalafil: Known for treating erectile dysfunction by widening blood vessels, they also help open lung blood vessels in PH. Side effects often include nausea, headache, and vision issues.
• Calcium channel blockers: While not effective for all, they relax the muscles in blood vessel walls and can be highly effective for some.
• Vasodilators (e.g., epoprostenol, iloprost): They relax and open narrow blood vessels. Epoprostenol is typically administered via continuous IV, requiring a portable pump. Other vasodilators can be inhaled, injected, or taken orally but are less common. Iloprost is nebulized like some asthma medications. Side effects can include jaw pain, nausea, diarrhea, leg cramps, and pain at the IV site for epoprostenol, and headache, nausea, and diarrhea for iloprost.
• Warfarin: Used if blood clots are a risk. As a blood thinner, it raises the risk of bleeding.
• Digoxin: Strengthens the heart and helps regulate heartbeat.
• Diuretics: Commonly prescribed to reduce fluid buildup by increasing urination.

Additionally, oxygen therapy might be recommended, especially if you live at high altitude, have sleep apnea, or need to exercise or fly.

Surgery for Pulmonary Hypertension

If conventional management strategies fail, surgery may be considered for treating pulmonary hypertension. In certain instances, depending on the cause, surgery can even provide a cure.

For example, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, a procedure that removes blood clots from the arteries supplying the lungs, may be used. However, since pulmonary hypertension can increase the risk of severe surgical complications, it’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate all options.

In younger patients with severe idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, a lung or heart-lung transplant might be an option.

These are complex surgeries, and patients will need to take immunosuppressant medications for the remainder of their lives post-transplant.

FAQs About Reversing Pulmonary Hypertension

What is the Most Common Cause of Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension can arise from a variety of conditions, but the most common causes are related to heart and lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and left-sided heart diseases like mitral valve disease or long-term high blood pressure.

In some cases, the condition is idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown.

Additionally, certain medications, genetic factors, and high-altitude living can contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension.

Can You Reverse Pulmonary Hypertension Naturally?

While there’s no definitive cure for pulmonary hypertension, certain lifestyle changes and natural methods can contribute to better management of the condition, potentially slowing its progression and reducing symptoms.

Regular exercise, a balanced low-sodium diet, weight management, stress reduction, and good sleep hygiene are among these methods.

Remember: It’s essential to continue prescribed medical treatments and regular check-ups with healthcare professionals while implementing these natural strategies.

What is the Best Diet for Pulmonary Hypertension?

A balanced, heart-healthy diet can help manage pulmonary hypertension. This includes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fish, lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Reducing sodium intake is crucial, as high-sodium diets can exacerbate heart and lung conditions. Also, maintaining a healthy weight by avoiding high-sugar and high-fat foods can reduce strain on the heart and lungs.

Can I Drink Coffee with Pulmonary Hypertension?

Caffeine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so people with pulmonary hypertension are often advised to limit their intake. However, everyone responds differently to caffeine.

If it doesn’t significantly increase your heart rate or cause palpitations, a moderate amount of coffee might be acceptable. Always consult your healthcare provider to discuss individual dietary concerns and limitations.

What Herb is Good for Pulmonary Hypertension?

Garlic is considered beneficial for pulmonary hypertension due to the presence of a compound called allicin. Research has shown that allicin can help widen blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.

Including fresh garlic in meals can offer these potential benefits. However, it’s vital to note that while certain herbs and dietary components can support overall health, they are not a substitute for prescribed medical treatments.

Is Magnesium Good for Pulmonary Hypertension?

Magnesium can be beneficial for individuals with pulmonary hypertension. It is involved in numerous bodily functions, including the regulation of blood pressure and heart rhythm.

Some studies suggest that adequate magnesium intake might improve cardiovascular health and potentially alleviate symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.

However, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen to avoid potential interactions or side effects.

How Do You Know When Pulmonary Hypertension is Getting Worse?

Worsening symptoms of pulmonary hypertension can include increased shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, swelling in the ankles or legs, and a racing pulse or heart palpitations.

These could indicate that the condition is progressing, and it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms are observed.

Can I Live a Normal Life with Pulmonary Hypertension?

Living with pulmonary hypertension does require certain lifestyle adjustments, but many individuals can still lead fulfilling lives.

With appropriate treatment and management strategies, including medication, dietary changes, exercise, and regular medical check-ups, the symptoms can be managed effectively.

Support from healthcare providers, therapists, and patient communities can also significantly enhance quality of life and help individuals navigate the challenges of living with pulmonary hypertension.

Final Thoughts

Living with pulmonary hypertension can present considerable challenges, but natural methods to manage and potentially reverse its effects offer hope.

By focusing on lifestyle modifications like dietary changes, regular exercise, stress management, and good sleep habits, among others, individuals with pulmonary hypertension can take proactive steps towards better health.

Remember, while these natural methods are helpful, it’s crucial to continue medical treatments and maintain regular consultations with healthcare professionals.

With a comprehensive approach combining natural strategies and medical treatments, one can aim for an improved quality of life despite having pulmonary hypertension.