Although Yogi Berra didn’t have pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the longtime New York Yankees baseball player knew something about setting and reaching goals. The Hall of Fame catcher was an All-Star 18 times, won the World Series 10 times, and was the Most Valuable Player in Major League Baseball three times, after all.
PAH is different than baseball, of course, and setting goals for your health is different than setting goals for other aspects of life. But there’s also something about goal setting that is universal, and it’s as true when it comes to staying on top of your health as it is in baseball:
Having a clear goal greatly improves the likelihood that you’ll reach it!
The goals you and your doctor set will help you both determine whether your current treatment plan is working well enough, or if some adjustments need to be made to improve your symptoms
Someone living with PAH may have goals like having less fatigue or shortness of breath, spending less time in the hospital (or not being hospitalized at all), being more active, spending more time with friends and family, and getting out more.
Your PAH specialist’s goals may be improving your right ventricle heart function, having healthier blood vessels in your lungs, slowing your disease progression, and lowering your risk status.
Although your personal goals and your physician’s goals may be different, they work hand in hand to improve your long-term prognosis and your day-to-day symptoms.
It’s important to understand each other’s goals, and this starts by having an open conversation with your doctor.If you haven’t already done so, initiate a conversation and ask your specialist what their specific clinical goals are for you. This should give you an opportunity to also share your personal goals and come up with a plan to reach these goals together.
The PAH Initiative has discussion tools available such as the Waiting Room Questionnaire and the Doctor Discussion Tool to help you start these conversations.
Committing a plan to paper can do wonders for follow-through. Write down your goals—what you want to achieve by a certain time. Ask your doctor what might be realistic and build in some wiggle room so you don’t get discouraged.
Also think about (and write down) actions you will take and how you’d like to do them.
Think about the barriers that get in the way and specific ways you might overcome them.
Try using this format:
“If I’m in this situation, _____(name specific barrier)_____, then I will _____(name action)___ that will help me achieve my goal.”
While goals are an important part of living with PAH, keeping track of your progress can let you know whether you’re on your way or if you’re potentially off-track from reaching your goal.
You can keep track of your goals by keeping a journal. In this journal, you can document your symptoms, activities, and overall well-being to see if your condition is improving over time. You can bring this journal to your next doctor’s appointment and share it with your doctor so you can evaluate your status as a team.
Keep an open line of communication with your physician; be transparent about what your goals are and ask your doctor if there are things you can do to help reach them
Every day isn’t a winner, whether you live with PAH or play for the New York Yankees. Try not to get discouraged when setbacks occur or if you need to adapt to change your approach. Learning to take things as they come can help you stay motivated over the longterm, which is important when dealing with a chronic disease like PAH.
When you reach a goal, celebrate it! Surround yourself with a community of people who will celebrate your wins with you! Whether that community is made up of other people living with PAH, your family, or your friends—or a combination of all three, having a supportive space to share your wins will help you sustain your positive mindset and provide you with the support needed to keep reaching for your goals.
Every milestone along the way to your destination is a triumph, so be sure to take time to look back on your journey and reflect on how far you’ve come before refocusing on how far you’ll go.
Like Yogi Berra also said,“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!”
Check out the PAH Treatment Goals Video from the PAH Initiative Learning Library to Learn More!
Downloads and Educational Tools
PAH is a complicated disease that can be difficult to understand. We’ve broken it down for you with easy-to-understand information, simple graphics, and informative videos from a PAH specialist.
What Is PAH?
Learn how Peggy renewed her competitive spirit after her PAH diagnosis and how she won't let an oxygen tank define her.
Competitive Spirit with PAH ⟩
How has knowing their risk status helped Lauren and Karen better understand if their treatment plan is working?
Knowing your PAH Risk Status ⟩
Living with PAH can be a big adjustment and taking care of yourself can make a big difference. But where do you start?
Self-Care and Healthy Living ⟩