Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are distinct but related conditions. Here are the key differences:
- Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)
- Definition: An umbrella term describing high blood pressure in the lung-to-heart system.
- Causes: Can be caused by various health conditions, Show Full Answer
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are distinct but related conditions. Here are the key differences:
- Pulmonary Hypertension (PH):
- Definition: An umbrella term describing high blood pressure in the lung-to-heart system.
- Causes: Can be caused by various health conditions, including heart disease, blood clots in the lungs, and lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
- Prevalence: Affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of the general population.
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH):
- Definition: A specific type of PH characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs due to narrowing, injury, or obstruction of the small pulmonary arteries.
- Causes: The tiny blood vessels in the lungs progressively narrow, directly creating high pulmonary blood pressure.
- Prevalence: Quite rare, with just 500 to 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the U.S.
Commonalities:
- Symptoms: Both can include shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and heart palpitations.
- Gender Prevalence: Both are more common among women than men.
- Seriousness: Both are serious health conditions with a high mortality rate.
- Treatment: No cure for most types, but treatments are available to manage symptoms.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the knowledge base provided.
August 27, 2024
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