PAH is only Group 1 of the 5 different sub-groups within PH. All PAH is a form of PH but most of PH is not PAH. It is essential that your care team understands the distinctions since PAH specific medication can be quite dangerous for the other groups.
PAH is pre-capillary disease. I am PH Group 2 which is post-capillary disease.
September 23, 2025 (edited)
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a general term for high blood pressure in the arteries connecting the lungs and heart. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a specific type of PH - think of it this way: all PAH is PH, but not all PH is PAH. PAH is a rare and progressive condition where tiny blood vessels in the lungs Show Full Answer
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a general term for high blood pressure in the arteries connecting the lungs and heart. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a specific type of PH - think of it this way: all PAH is PH, but not all PH is PAH. PAH is a rare and progressive condition where tiny blood vessels in the lungs narrow, creating high blood pressure specifically in the lungs. This causes the right side of the heart to work harder than normal, which can lead to heart damage over time.
While PH affects about 1-3% of the global population, PAH is much rarer, affecting only about 15-30 cases per million people worldwide. Both conditions are more common in women than in men.
September 23, 2025