What a great observation to make so early after diagnosis! Yes, this is something other myPHteam members experience too. Heat is a known trigger for shortness of breath with pulmonary hypertension.
Here's why it happens: when your body is exposed to heat, blood vessels dilate (widen). While that might sound helpful, it Show Full Answer
What a great observation to make so early after diagnosis! Yes, this is something other myPHteam members experience too. Heat is a known trigger for shortness of breath with pulmonary hypertension.
Here's why it happens: when your body is exposed to heat, blood vessels dilate (widen). While that might sound helpful, it actually reduces blood flow between the heart and lungs, meaning less oxygen gets distributed through the body — leading to that breathless feeling. A few things that may help when cooking:
- Use ventilation — turn on the range hood fan or open a window to keep cooler air circulating
- Take breaks — step away from the heat regularly
- Use a stool or chair — standing for long periods adds extra exertion on top of the heat
- Consider slow cookers or instant pots — they produce less direct heat exposure than stovetop or oven cooking
Since you're newly diagnosed, it's really worth mentioning this specific trigger to your care team. They can give advice tailored to where you are in your treatment journey.
August 23
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