About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) means that you have high blood pressure in the arteries that go from your heart to your lungs. It is different to ordinary high blood pressure, and it cannot be measured with a regular blood pressure monitor. With PAH, the tiny arteries in your lungs become narrow and it is harder for the blood to flow through them so this raises the blood pressure in the lungs. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood through the tiny arteries which may even be partially blocked, and the heart muscle may weaken over time, and can eventually lead to fatal heart failure.

Symptoms.

Sometimes the symptoms are not always markedly noticeable. A major symptom is shortness of breath when you are active, which starts slowly and gets much worse over time. Other symptoms include: chest pain, fatigue, blacking out, and swelling of ankles and legs. All these symptoms put a strain on the heart, which over time can lead to serious heart problems.

Getting a diagnosis.

If you have shortness of breath, visit the doctor for a thorough examination because there might be an underlying medical reason that needs attention. However, it was noted that sometimes doctors are hard-pressed to find an actual cause for the condition. You may be quizzed about your medical history, as well as your diet, and lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol use, and whether or not you exercise regularly, can reflect poorly on your lifestyle.

Your doctor may also order tests which could include:

·        Electrocardiogram (ECG) which can show whether then right side of the heart is under strain, which will indicate that there may be a sign of possible PAH.

·        A CT scan which can show enlarged arteries, as well as other issues which may be contributing to shortness of breath.

There is no cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but there are treatments which make it easier to live with, and help you to find ways to carry on with your normal life. You will also benefit from a healthy diet consisting of lean meats, and plenty of fruit and veggies.

Research background.

Intensive research has revealed that anxiety and depression are highly significant in PAH, and suggested that therapy targeted at anxiety and stress might assist in coping with the condition. The same targeted therapy may also help with the management of ordinary hypertension. Studies further showed that about one third of PAH patients suffer from anxiety, with only approximately 30% being treated for anxiety as a comorbidity. Anxiety causes the heart to beat faster, work harder to pump blood, and makes the risk of dangerous high blood pressure in the lungs much higher.

A targeted intervention.

Medical scientists have agreed that the key to reducing the impact of anxiety on PAH is to eliminate as much stress and anxiety as possible from the mind. It is a well-known fact that anxiety and stress are lodged in the subconscious mind, and that hypnotherapy is the key to unlock the subconscious mind and begin the process of eliminating anxious and negative thoughts. When the patient is relaxed, the positive suggestions made by the therapist are more favourably assimilated by the mind, and become part of a new mindset, free of undue anxiety.

A further benefit.

Hypnosis, in addition to moderating the effects of anxiety on all types of blood pressure, has the potential to help you gravitate to a new healthy diet, and good lifestyle habits. This can go a long way towards lowering the danger of serious life-threatening cardiovascular disease. 

High blood pressure is a public health problem which increases a poor health risk of millions of people worldwide. With the right treatment and attitude, the risk CAN be modified.