Prepare for PH Awareness Month

Steps to Resume Care and Normalcy Amid Pandemic Fluxes How to Care for Yourself as a Caregiver

Speak with your pulmonary hypertension (PH) 1 care team if you have concerns about returning to in-person care. Your team can share what your hospital or clinic is doing to mitigate COVID-19 risks. Plus, tell your care team if you’re uncomfortable being around people again, whether at the grocery store or a gettogether. Your team will work with you to create a plan that’ll make you feel safe based on your individual risk.

That’s just one of the returning to care tips that PH doctors shared in June at PHA 2022 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions. Here are a few more:

Consider a mix of in-person and online 2 appointments. Virtual appointments have made it easier for PH patients who live hours away from their specialists to attend their appointments. Coordinate with your team to find what balance of virtual and inperson visits works for you, Lori Reed, NP-C says. Your care team also can connect with your local cardiologist or pulmonologist to administer six-minute walk or other essential tests if you can’t travel. Patients who continue virtual visits must be good advocates for themselves and communicate with their care teams, especially when they notice red flags, Lori says.

Continue COVID precautions. Even if you’re 3 vaccinated and boosted, it’s important to continue to mask and social distance. Those precautions will help you lessen the risk of catching COVID-19. Vaccines are saving lives by keeping people from becoming critically ill from COVID-19, but it’s still possible to get the virus, Karen Fagan, M.D., emphasizes. Patients should resume normal habits, but everyone’s risk is different. If you plan to go to an in-person event, know what safety measures are in place to ensure that you’re comfortable and feel safe before attending, Dr. Fagan says.

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Reach out for support. If you’re feeling isolated at home, reach out to your providers, trusted friends and family for support, Dr. Fagan recommends. Your care team can help you and provide you with resources. If you can’t attend an in-person support group, PHA’s virtual support groups are a great way to connect without having to worry about physical health. You also can call PHA’s patient-topatient support line to get immediate support: 800748-7274. Feeling stressed? Pay attention to how you feel because it can affect the person you’re caring for. Learn selfcare techniques shared at PHA 2022 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions:

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Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of shifting your thoughts to focus on the present moment. Examples include meditation, taking a moment to breathe at the beginning or end of your day, or reflecting on your day. Mindfulness allows you to let go of anxiety, fears and other distractions.

Mindfulness is a method of self-care, so train yourself to stop and be in the moment, says Michelle Ferdinand Liu, M.D., M.P.H. It’s important to care for yourself so you can care for others, she says.

Try breathing exercises.2 Licensed professional counselor Michele Freeman, MSMHC, N.C.C., L.P.C., LCSW, shared several breathing exercises to help reduce stress and anxiety. Breathing exercises include:

Bagel breathing or pursed lip breathing: Breathe in through your nose for three seconds, and then out of your mouth for six seconds as if you’re blowing into a straw.

Belly breathing: Adding belly breathing helps you calm down quickly. Expand your abdomen when breathing to incorporate belly breathing.

Put your hands on your hips. This helps with belly breathing. Try it before doctors’ appointments to center you and make you more powerful.

Breathe through your heart center. Breathe through the nose, and imagine your exhale goes through your heart center as if you’re changing the direction of your breath. Breathe in and breathe out.

Attendee practices chair yoga at at PHA 2022 International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions.

Inhale the good; exhale the bad. Breathing with intention can be more powerful. For this exercise, breathe in what you want, and breathe out what you want to get rid of. For example, breathe in resilience, and breathe out guilt.

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Smile. If you smile for two minutes, even if it’s a fake smile, dopamine starts entering the brain, which causes a disconnect with what you’re upset about. Regardless of what’s on your mind, smiling reduces heart rate, stress and pain. It also increases productivity and boosts the immune system. Laughter can ease anxiety. Activities like laughter yoga can help, Michele Freeman says.

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Note what makes you feel good. Create a list of everything that makes you happy and feel good, Dr. Liu says. When you’re having a down day, you can refer to this list. It’s also helpful to include breathing techniques so you don’t forget when you need them. The more you do of what makes you feel good, the more it becomes a habit.