Natalia Maeva, a patient diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2009, shares a deeply personal account of living with the condition, focusing particularly on the harrowing experience of dyspnoea crises for Breathe. Natalia says that these crises, characterized by a visceral feeling of suffocation, fundamentally transformed her life, forcing her to recalculate every action and live in constant fear of breathlessness.
Despite the significant challenges, she has adapted by learning to manage her symptoms, and finding new ways to enjoy life. Natalia has taken up activities that are less physically demanding, like reading, writing and painting. She has become more mindful of the small joys in life – the warmth of the sun on her face, the sound of birds in the morning, the comfort of a good book.
Natalia’s narrative is marked by resilience and hope – hope for medical advancements, potential future treatments, and the ability to live a meaningful life despite the limitations imposed by pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Citation
Maeva N, Robinson L. Living with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a patient’s perspective on dyspnoea crises. Breathe (Sheff). 2025 Jan 21;21(1):240231. doi: 10.1183/20734735.0231-2024. PMID: 39845435; PMCID: PMC11747873.
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