Self-care: what it is and what it isn’t
July 24 is International Self-Care Day There is a lot of information out there about the importance of self-care. Self-care is a buzzword that often gets thrown out and there are a lot of misconceptions about what it is and what it isn’t. As the Canadian Mental Health Association outlines, self-care is the act of caring for ourselves to enhance our well-being. Often what comes to mind when we think of this is spa days, or meditation, or going for a massage. While these can al
Hope Floats
When I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension in December 2018, I was too sick to try any other medicine than the IV pump. And though it saved my life and gifted me with a few more precious years, I can’t help but think about the circumstances that allowed for that solution to be sustainable, at least for a little while. I lived with someone. I had family close by. I had dexterity in my limbs and the mental function to handle the logistics of everything that came with the
Feeling the heat?
If you’re in central Canada, chances are you’re feeling the heat, as cities hit all-time record high temperatures. The Heart and Stroke Foundation reminds people with heart conditions, such as Type 2 PH, and those taking diuretics or calcium channel blockers, that heat can be particularly dangerous for them. The job of diuretics, of course, is to get rid of fluid, so in extreme heat, this may lead to dehydration. And because they relax arteries, calcium channel blockers may l
Time to wave your Disability Pride flag!
July is Disability Pride Month The current design of the Disability Pride flag (shown as this post's image) dates from 2021, and each element has a meaning: All six flag colors: Disability spans borders between nations Black background: Mourning for victims of ableist violence and abuse Diagonal Band: Cutting across the walls and barriers that separate disabled people from society Red Stripe: Physical disabilities Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence White Stripe: Invisible and undia
Congratulations to Dr. Stephen Archer, Member of the Order of Canada
PHA Canada was delighted to note Dr. Stephen Archer’s name in a list of Order of Canada appointees. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada on June 26. As the Governor General’s website says, “Stephen Archer is an internationally acclaimed cardiologist. His seminal discoveries in pulmonary arterial hypertension and its underlying mechanisms have led to novel therapies and improved patient care. He has influenced important health care initiatives, including the creati
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