Yes, there is a clear difference between PH and PAH. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a general term that refers to high blood pressure in the blood vessels between the heart and lungs. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is actually a specific type of PH that occurs when the small arteries in the lungs become narrowed Show Full Answer
Yes, there is a clear difference between PH and PAH. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a general term that refers to high blood pressure in the blood vessels between the heart and lungs. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is actually a specific type of PH that occurs when the small arteries in the lungs become narrowed, damaged, or blocked.
Think of it this way: All PAH is considered PH, but not all PH is PAH. It's like squares and rectangles - every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. PAH is much rarer than other types of PH. While PH affects about 1-3% of the global population, PAH only affects about 15-30 cases per million people worldwide. Both conditions are more commonly diagnosed in women than in men, and both are serious health conditions that require proper medical management.
May 12, 2025