Making the Correct Diagnosis & Building Your Treatment Plan

Once testing confirms you have pulmonary hypertension (PH), the next step is deciding how to treat it. This page walks you through what to expect, what your care team will ask, and what you can do to help shape a treatment plan that fits your life.

When your PH team reviews your test results, they focus on three key questions:

1. Do you have PH for sure?
2. If yes — what type of PH is it? (There are several types based on what caused the PH.)
3. What should your treatment plan look like now?

This includes medicines, oxygen (if needed), lifestyle support, and follow-up care.

Because PH varies from person to person, getting the correct type of PH is essential. Treatment that works well for one type may not be right for another.

Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:

• Medications that relax the blood vessels in your lungs or make your heart and lungs work more smoothly.
• Supportive care, such as oxygen, if your oxygen levels drop during rest, activity, or sleep.
• Lifestyle recommendations, including healthy eating, limiting salt and fluids, gentle physical activity, good sleep habits, and energy management.
• Regular follow-up visits and testing to check how your treatment is working and adjust it as needed.
• You may want to print and bring this personalized treatment plan document to bring to your clinic appointment and help you talk with your PH specialist.

After you begin treatment, you will have regular visits and testing so your PH team can see how you’re doing. This often includes:

• Clinic visits and lab work
• A 6-minute walk test (or similar test to check your activity and oxygen levels)
• Heart and lung imaging or function tests (echocardiogram, lung tests, etc.) about every 3–6 months — or more often if needed
• Adjustments to medicines, oxygen, or lifestyle recommendations based on how you feel and what your tests show

Even when you feel stable, PH requires ongoing monitoring to keep you healthy and catch changes early.

Here are some ways you can help your treatment plan work well:

• Share what matters most to you. Your personal goals — energy, comfort, activity, work, sleep — help guide your plan.
• Keep a health journal. Write down symptoms, breathing changes, sleep, swelling, or anything new. Bring it to your appointments.
• Take medications as prescribed, and tell your team if you have side effects.
• Follow lifestyle recommendations, including nutrition, activity, oxygen use, and sleep routines. Small changes add up.
• Ask questions. If something is confusing, ask your team to explain it in plain language.

Stay connected with your PH specialists. They are experts in this rare condition and are here to help guide you.

Getting the right diagnosis and starting the right treatment plan early is one of the most important parts of PH care. It can:

• Reduce symptoms
• Improve your quality of life
• Help treatments work more effectively
• Prevent PH from getting worse
• Give you control and confidence moving forward

Your care team will work with you to update your plan as your needs change. You are not alone — PH care is a partnership.