Setting and Communicating Goals with your Team

The most important part of your treatment plan in pulmonary hypertension is YOU. It is important for you to have an idea for yourself about what you hope to achieve by starting a treatment plan for your pulmonary hypertension. This is helpful so that you have a vision of what may lay ahead as you work through initial medication side effects or other issues, should they arise, as your eyes will be on a bigger goal or goals.

It is also important to communicate with your team about what you want to achieve.

Are your goals to be able to play with your kids or grandchildren? Are your goals to go back to work without feeling exhausted? Do you want to be able to walk the dog in the park again? Are you already feeling pretty good, but want to be able to walk or run a 5K again? There are various degrees of illness and each person has their own personal goals. What do your goals look like? Can you write down your top 3?

When you communicate these goals with your team it gives you all something to work toward and to know that you are making the progress you want to make. It also may help the team be able to discuss with you certain aspects that may be achievable, and which may need to be adjusted. It helps the team stay focused on what is important to you and also helps them translate the data they’re getting from routine visits and testing into how to best help you.