Pulmonary arterial hypertension refers to hypertension or increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lung. This condition affects both the lungs and the heart. The article explains the causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension and tells you more about this health condition. Pulmonary hypertension refers to the increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lung and the right side of the heart.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a form of pulmonary hypertension where the blood vessels located in the lung have become narrow or are blocked. This can damage the arteries. The damage in the arteries can affect the smooth flow of blood in the lungs. This increases the blood pressure in the arteries. As a result, the heart has to put in more effort to pump blood. This weakens the heart muscle and can even cause it to fail.

There are multiple causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The condition is grouped under five categories depending on the cause. These groups and causes are as under:

1. Heart disease
PAH may be caused due to left-sided heart disease. This includes a mitral valve or aortic valve disease or failure of the lower left ventricle in the heart.

2. Lung diseases
Lung diseases like COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or pulmonary fibrosis where there is scarring in the lungs. People who have sleep apnea and those exposed to high altitudes can also develop this condition.

3. Blood clots
If chronic blood clots develop in the lungs, it can lead to PAH. There are various other clotting disorders that can increase the risk of developing this condition. Sometimes PAH can occur due to a mutation in the genes. Some chemicals, like methamphetamines, can cause PAH. Congenital heart disease and other conditions like scleroderma, lupus, and HIV can also cause PAH.

4. Other health conditions
Other health conditions that can cause PAH include:

• Blood disorders like essential thrombocythemia
• Inflammatory conditions like vasculitis
• Kidney disease
• Tumors that press against the pulmonary arteries
• Glycogen storage disease
• Eisenmenger syndrome causes a hole in the heart

5. Idiopathic
Sometimes PAH may be idiopathic or where the cause is not known. Usually, this can be a very aggressive form of the condition and may even be fatal. It is more common in young females.

The causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension and the effects of this condition were listed in this article. The information on this disease provided in this article would have helped you understand more about this condition.