Pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH, is a disease characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that travel from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Several factors can trigger the problem, including sleep apnea and COPD. Patients usually experience shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs, etc. Although medication is a must to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, specific food changes can also help manage the symptoms.

1. Reduce fluid intake
Doctors recommend pulmonary arterial hypertension patients drink lesser fluids. This is because their bodies cannot flush out excess liquids, and it tends to build up in the system, causing swelling and other symptoms. Ideally, fluid intake should be reduced to around two liters per day. However, one can determine the actual quantity only after consulting a doctor. It also depends on the weight of an individual.

2. Avoid salty foods
Since high blood pressure is the primary symptom of the disease, reducing the amount of salt in the meals is advised. Salt is a catalyst for blood pressure, and it can spike the levels almost immediately. Besides limiting salt in the meals, one should also avoid junk food, such as French fries and chips, to keep blood pressure in check. Most of these have a high quantity of salt.

3. Eat smaller meals
Medicines for pulmonary arterial hypertension can make people nauseous, especially when they have just started undergoing treatment. Thankfully, there are different ways to relieve nausea, and the most effective is eating smaller meals. Patients can also eat unsalted crackers and dry toast. These are easy on the belly and elevate blood pressure. Foods rich in carbohydrates should also be avoided.

4. Reduce the intake of stimulants
Alcohol and caffeine cause irregularities in blood pressure and should be avoided by those with pulmonary arterial hypertension. One can have substitutes to tea and coffee, like chicory, in the morning. Furthermore, patients can replace alcohol with non-alcoholic, fruit-based drinks at the end of the day.

5. Stock up on vitamin C
Vitamin C helps absorb iron in the body, and iron is crucial for managing the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Therefore patients should stock up on foods like bell peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli as these are rich in vitamin C.

6. Have lesser vitamin K
Patients are often administered blood-thinning medicines to manage the disease. And since vitamin K hinders the work of blood-thinning drugs, its intake should be limited. One can consult a doctor to understand what foods to avoid to keep the levels of this nutrient in check.

Watching what one eats is an efficient way to manage pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is true for most other ailments as well. Besides following healthy eating habits, patients should also make specific lifestyle changes like practicing yoga and avoiding physical stress.