marathons and pulmonary hypertension

[accrn]

I have just been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. I am 49 and presented to my MD after I noticed a significant developement of DOE when training for a marathon. I am an avid runner and cannot imagine not being able to run. I was hoping for a general opinion from someone that understands exercise physiology as well as cardiology.
Thanks in advance
Catherine

[JoAnn11201]

I am interested in talking to you - I'm 49 and a former marathoner (stopped 3 years ago due to hip impingement and lower energy levels), and just diagnosed with PH.  If you are still active here, or would like to exchange emails, I'd love to hear how you are doing and commiserate ;-). Thanks.

[kenkeith]

In response to note, it seems if pulmonary hypertension is unsuccessfully treated, exercise (strenous) would be an extra burden the right side of the heart will pump against and not beneficial and may enlarge the right ventricle.

Good physical conditioning and able to run a a marathon may/will strengthen the left ventricle with stronger contractions and more efficient in meeting system demand for blood/oxygen.  The system may develop an equilbrium between the right and left side that compensates for the pulmonary hypertension.

I don't believe there is any definitive answer of benefit, no benefit...it depends on pulmonary issues and how well your system would compensate.

[kenkeith]

Pulmonary hypertension indicates the rightside of the heart pumps against more than normal resistance.  Untreated and not controled the condition can increase the size of the right ventricle and eventually effect the leftside of the heart and cause heart failure.  

When the leftside of the heart fails to meet the system's demand for blood/oxygen there can be symptoms of shortness of breath, muscle fatique, chest pain, etc.