Which practice should be avoided in pulmonary hypertension during exercise?

Which practice should be avoided in pulmonary hypertension during exercise?

• A. Breath control.
• B. Very low-intensity aerobic exercise.
• C. High-load resistance training.
• D. Monitoring symptoms.

Answer: (C)

In pulmonary hypertension, the right heart already works against increased pulmonary vascular resistance, so exercise prescriptions aim to avoid actions that sharply raise intrathoracic pressure or afterload. Lifting heavy loads pushes the cardiovascular system into large, rapid surges in blood pressure and often involves the Valsalva maneuver, which markedly reduces venous return to the heart. Those sudden changes can compromise cardiac output, trigger dizziness or syncope, and strain the right ventricle, making high-load resistance training the practice to avoid. Breath control helps manage breathing and can reduce work of breathing during activity. Very low-intensity aerobic exercise allows safe conditioning with minimal cardiorespiratory stress. Monitoring symptoms during exercise is essential to catch warning signs early and adjust or stop activity.

In pulmonary hypertension, the right heart already works against increased pulmonary vascular resistance, so exercise prescriptions aim to avoid actions that sharply raise intrathoracic pressure or afterload. Lifting heavy loads pushes the cardiovascular system into large, rapid surges in blood pressure and often involves the Valsalva maneuver, which markedly reduces venous return to the heart. Those sudden changes can compromise cardiac output, trigger dizziness or syncope, and strain the right ventricle, making high-load resistance training the practice to avoid.

Breath control helps manage breathing and can reduce work of breathing during activity. Very low-intensity aerobic exercise allows safe conditioning with minimal cardiorespiratory stress. Monitoring symptoms during exercise is essential to catch warning signs early and adjust or stop activity.