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What Is The Biggest Obstacle Which Has Rendered You Tired Of Explaining, When Telling People You Have PH, & PAH

A myPHteam Member asked a question 💭
Pueblo, CO

I start with informing them I have a dual lung condition. COPD, when you tell them that no big deal everyone knows that. Then I go on to tell them PAH, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. They assume it's high blood pressure because that's what hypertension is, however, when I explain it's not the kind of high blood pressure everyone knows. I explain the part about High blood pressure in the artery between the heart & lungs. At this point, they get a dumbfounded look on their face. I used to… read more

January 25
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A myPHteam Member

I tell people I have a disease that progressively destroys my pulmonary arteries and it’s called Pulmonary Hypertension and that it was caused by my heart disease.

January 26
A myPHteam Member

I try to explain my condition in as few words as possible and
if they still don’t understand, then I direct them to google it

January 26
A myPHteam Member

I agree that it's exhausting. My husband has trouble understanding PAH and how it affects the body, and he lives with me! I cringe whenever I hear him trying to explain PAH to someone else.

I usually tell people that Sjogren's is destroying the tiny blood vessels in my lungs and my pulmonary artery.

January 26
A myPHteam Member

Same here. I usually just say I can't breath. Which affects my heart. It isn't really correct but they don't question that. If I tell them I have PH, they assume its just high blood pressure. So simple is best. Hugs.

4 days ago
A myPHteam Member

@A myPHteam Member that is an excellent response! I think I'll try employing that tactic too.

January 28

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