This is a good question. When most people hear the term pulmonary hypertension they think of high blood pressure. It's hard for them to wrap their heads around the fact that PH is much more complex than that. Unless people ask more questions, I usually keep it simple. I say that the blood vessels in my lungs are narrowing making it difficult for the lungs to get rid of carbon dioxide and take in oxygen.

In my case, I have PAH. If I feel inclined, I may add that PAH is a rare, incurable diagnosis with a very poor prognosis but that I am on medications that help ease the symptoms. This is very sobering for most people to hear.

I have shared the PH Association website and the PAH Initiative website with those people that are more inquisitive.

I don't ever tell friends that I have pulmonary hypertension. They know I have limited systemic scleroderma which is complicated enough to explain! I just know they are mindful that I greatly appreciate their ongoing deliveries of DINNER!! Cooking is a challenge for me, just often don't have the energy to put a meal together. I think some people are so overwhelmed with the TRUTH of these lung issues, they don't know what to say ... some even say "are you doing better now" as if this was curable! Sometimes less info is better.

PH is high blood pressure in the lungs.

Thanks!