Staying Active

Living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) doesn’t mean you have to stop caring about your body. Moving regularly — gently and safely — can help you stay stronger, feel better, and enjoy life more. With the right plan, exercise becomes a key part of your PH care.

• Exercise helps your muscles stay strong and your lungs and heart work better. For people with PH, this can make daily tasks easier. 
• Being active can lift your mood, reduce stress, and improve your energy and confidence. 
• Studies show that people with PH who exercise — under safe supervision or with a careful plan — can walk farther and feel better than those who don’t.

• Talk with your PH care team before you start an exercise program. Exercise can be helpful, but it is not one-size-fits-all for people with pulmonary hypertension. Your type of PH, how severe it is, your treatments, oxygen needs, and other health conditions all matter. Your care team can help you choose a safe plan. They may also recommend pulmonary rehabilitation, a supervised program that teaches you how to exercise safely, build strength, and improve breathing. It is important that your PH care team helps design your exercise plan, so it is safe for you.
  
  
• Start slow and steady. Gentle movement matters more than high intensity. Walking, light biking, stretching, or light strength work are often good places to begin. 
  
  
• Listen to your body. Stop if you feel symptoms during exercise.
  • Call 911 right away if you have chest pain, feel faint or pass out, or have severe shortness of breath.
  • Stop and contact your PH care team if you feel dizziness, mild chest discomfort, or shortness of breath that is more than usual.
  • These symptoms may mean you need to rest or adjust your exercise plan.

• Use oxygen if prescribed. If you’re on oxygen, use it during exercise as directed to keep your body safe.

• Walking — A simple, accessible way to move.
• Biking — Stationary or recumbent bikes are often easier on lungs/heart.
• Yoga or gentle stretching — Helps flexibility and relaxation.
• Light resistance training or small weights — Helps keep muscles strong without straining heart/lungs.
• Breathing exercises or breathing-focused yoga — Can help with lung strength and calmness.

• Set small, realistic goals. Even a 10-minute walk 2–3 times a week is good. Celebrate small wins.
• Use “good days.” On days you feel okay, do a little more. On tougher days, give yourself rest — that counts, too.
• Make activity part of your routine. Walk when you can shop, stretch while watching TV, or do gentle leg lifts while sitting.
• Track how you feel before and after. Keep a log: breathing, energy, swelling, mood. Talk to your PH team if things change.
• Ask for help when needed. A friend, family member, or caregiver can walk, stretch, or do light exercise with you — it’s easier together.

• Call 911 right away if you have:
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Feel faint or pass out
  • Severe or sudden shortness of breath
• Stop and contact your PH care team if you notice:
  • Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  • Shortness of breath that is more than usual
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles, or belly
  • Fatigue that does not improve with rest

• “Is it safe for me to start a walking program now?”
• “Do I need to use oxygen during exercise?”
• “What types of exercise should I avoid or be careful with?”
• “How much activity is right for me — and how should I increase it over time?”
• “Can I join a pulmonary rehab or supervised exercise program near me?”

• Print this page or keep it handy
• Talk with your PH care team about designing a safe activity plan for you
• Start slowly — consistency matters more than speed
• Adjust your plan based on how you feel, and celebrate any progress