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What causes Pah

A myPHteam Member asked a question 💭
January 15
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Answer Summary

Members shared a wide range of suspected causes for their pulmonary arterial hypertension, with autoimmune diseases like scleroderma,... Read more

Members shared a wide range of suspected causes for their pulmonary arterial hypertension, with autoimmune diseases like scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, and Sjogren's emerging as common contributors, alongside medication side effects, substance use history, blood clots, and prolonged secondhand smoke exposure. Several members acknowledged the uncertainty and frustration of not having clear answers, with some cases classified as idiopathic despite potential contributing factors. A recurring theme was the emotional support members offered one another, encouraging each other to focus on living day by day rather than being consumed by the disease or the search for definitive causes.

A myPHteam Member

I bartended for almost 20 years and had 2nd hand smoke in my face everyday, was hard to breath then and now.

January 28
myPHteam

What causes pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)?

PAH develops when the blood vessels in your lungs become narrowed, stiff, or blocked. Scientists are still learning about all the causes, but it may happen when blood vessels become injured or damaged, or when changes occur in how the blood vessel cells grow and behave.

Show Full Answer

What causes pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)?

PAH develops when the blood vessels in your lungs become narrowed, stiff, or blocked. Scientists are still learning about all the causes, but it may happen when blood vessels become injured or damaged, or when changes occur in how the blood vessel cells grow and behave.

In PAH, the muscle cells around your pulmonary arteries grow and divide too much, thickening the artery walls. This makes the vessels narrower and increases blood pressure in your lungs, forcing your heart to work much harder.

Many cases of PAH are idiopathic, meaning there's no known cause. However, PAH can also be caused by:

* Genetics - About 15-20% of cases are heritable, often involving mutations in the BMPR2 gene
* Certain drugs - Including diet pills, amphetamines, or some cancer medications
* Other medical conditions - Such as connective tissue diseases (like lupus or scleroderma), congenital heart disease, or HIV
* Toxin exposure - Environmental triggers can sometimes lead to PAH

Even when PAH has genetic mutations, if there's no family history of the disease, it's still considered idiopathic rather than heritable.

January 15
A myPHteam Member

Your not alone, we all have to find our ways to survive it. Its good to ask questions or you can make yourself crazy trying to google it, this website is great to keep in touch.

January 26
A myPHteam Member

For many it remains a disconnected mystery. Others may have a sight suspicion, and still there are the obvious causes. I suspect in my case I had congenital lung insufficiency, which is a term for being born with small lungs, and small trachea, and then an entire family of chain smokers who I lived with for the first 21 years of my life, but not being a smoker myself. Sometimes it can be the tiny things, and a lot of them, that just pile up.

January 27
A myPHteam Member

I don't check the boxes either due to no family history of the disease. Although I had blood clots in my lungs, however I am classified as IPAH. All we can do is take it one day at a time. Yesterday was yesterday, today is today. Live for the day not the disease. God Bless you and may he continue to keep you 🙏.

January 27

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