myPHteam

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition where the blood vessels in your lungs become narrow and thickened, causing abnormally high blood pressure in the lung arteries. Doctors consider pulmonary hypertension when the average pressure in lung arteries exceeds 20 mm Hg. PAH is progressive, meaning it Show Full Answer

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious condition where the blood vessels in your lungs become narrow and thickened, causing abnormally high blood pressure in the lung arteries. Doctors consider pulmonary hypertension when the average pressure in lung arteries exceeds 20 mm Hg. PAH is progressive, meaning it worsens over time. The increased pressure in the lungs forces the right side of your heart to work much harder than normal to pump blood. This extra strain can eventually lead to heart damage.

The World Health Organization classifies PAH as Group 1 pulmonary hypertension, which can occur without a known cause (idiopathic), be inherited, or develop due to other factors like certain medications, connective tissue diseases, or HIV infection.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Pulmonary Hypertension vs. Hypertension: 7 Symptom Differences

What Is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)?