Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries connecting the heart to the lungs, forcing the right side of the heart to work harder and eventually leading to heart failure. It is classified into five groups based on underlying cause, ranging from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) — the most severe and least common form — to PH caused by left heart disease, lung disease, chronic blood clots, or unclear mechanisms. The prevalence of PAH in the United States and Europe is estimated at 15 to 50 individuals per million, making it a rare but devastating disease. Broader pulmonary hypertension affecting all five groups is significantly more common, as it frequently develops as a complication of heart failure, COPD, sleep apnea, and connective tissue disorders. PH and PAH are often diagnosed late due to nonspecific symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness — and late-stage diagnosis portends a poor prognosis. Prevalence rates increase with age and are higher among women. Treatment has advanced considerably and includes targeted vasodilator therapies, anticoagulants, and in select patients, lung transplantation, with the five-year survival rate for PAH improving significantly over the past two decades.