Potential Exercises for PAH Patients

Important: Not all of the exercises mentioned below will be right for everyone. Before you try any of the exercises below, review this list with your doctor to make sure these exercises are right for you.

Walking

Walking can be a great exercise, especially when you are beginning an exercise plan. The important thing to remember is to go at your own pace. Walking with friends, for example, is a great way to get your exercise in, but make sure you’re comfortable with asking that they slow down if you’re starting to experience any severe shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or chest pain.

Tai chi

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese form of self-defense that is now a popular exercise in the United States. Tai chi involves making slow, focused movements while also breathing deeply.

People who do tai chi can experience health benefits including feeling less stressed, increased energy and stamina, and better breathing. Tai chi can also improve symptoms in people with heart problems.

If you are interested in tai chi, talk to your doctor.

Yoga

You may have heard about people with PAH doing yoga to help with their breathing. Yoga is an exercise that can potentially increase lung capacity, but you should talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you. There may be certain poses that you should modify or avoid completely.

Aside from helping people breathe better, yoga has been shown to reduce stress and improve energy in some people. That doesn’t mean it will work for you, but it could be an activity you can talk to your doctor about trying.

Weightlifting

Light resistance training of small muscle groups (no heavy lifting) can be a good exercise for people with PAH. Start by doing 1 set of repetitions with a light weight, and then slowly progress until you can do 2 or 3 sets of 15 repetitions. Remember to move slowly and to breathe throughout the entire exercise.

You should not exercise both your upper and lower body at the same time (such as using an elliptical machine). And keep in mind that muscle fatigue is common when weightlifting, so make sure to take it slow!