Diet and Exercise Intervention in Pulmonary Hypertension

Current pharmacologic treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension lead to vasodilation of the pulmonary arteries, increasing cardiac output and reducing pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Right ventricular failure is a leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but there remain no promising leads in the treatment of right ventricular failure. Current research demonstrates that metabolic abnormalities, particularly regarding insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, may be pathologic in the development of right ventricular failure in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this review, we will address the potential role diet and exercise may play in improving right ventricular failure in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.