Pulmonary Hypertension | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Pulmonary Hypertension | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Pulmonary Hypertension

Also known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs is higher than normal. One type of pulmonary hypertension is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary hypertension can happen on its own or be caused by another disease or condition. In the United States, the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension is left heart disease. Other conditions that can cause pulmonary hypertension include sickle cell disease; pulmonary embolus, which is a type of venous thromboembolism; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).