Patients with pulmonary hypertension need specific social, psychological and legal support. PH Patients are in an extremely depressed condition, as pulmonary hypertension is incurable. Their families lifestyle changes radically after the diagnosis. It is very difficult for patients to do even elementary physical exercises. The fight against pulmonary hypertension is mentally extremely exhausting for patients.

There is no institution in the Lviv region that could provide expert psychological support and psychotherapeutic support to patients with such a rare disease as pulmonary hypertension and their families.

The first step in learning about rehabilitation was the visit of a Ukrainian PH patient and a doctor to Norway. There, for several days, they had learned the basics and brought us valuable knowledge and personal impressions. So, the next step was a meeting of a Norwegian physiotherapist with Ukrainian patients in Lviv and an exchange of experience with rehabilitators of the A. Mazurenko Children’s Health Center.

In 2018-2019, the CF “Sister Dalila” and PHURDA implemented 2 cycles of the rehabilitation program in Lviv on the basis of the A. Mazurenko Children’s Health Center.

What does the rehabilitation program include?

Foreign experience has shown us that only the complex rehabilitation is effective. In Europe, there are full-fledged rehabilitation centers where PH patients spend 2-3 weeks every year. Currently, in Ukraine, we were able to lay the foundation and teach the patients how to properly take care of themselves.

Medical treatment is only 50% of success. Therefore, for a full-fledged and high-quality of life, moderate physical activity, psychological support and healthy nutrition are necessary.

Each session of the rehabilitation program includes:

• Session of group psychological therapy;
• Physical exercises and breathing exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist/rehabilitator;
• Conversations with a nutritionist about proper and healthy nutrition;
• Tea/coffee break with goodies)))
• In addition, if desired, patients had individual meetings with psychologists.

The Lviv City Council and the Lviv Regional State Administration supported us in the implementation of the rehabilitation program for PH patients in Lviv region.