About Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. It 
develops when the blood pressure in the lungs is higher than normal. Pulmonary 
hypertension makes the heart work harder than normal to pump blood into the lungs. 
This can damage the heart and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest 
pain, and lightheadedness. Pulmonary hypertension can develop on its own or be 
caused by another disease or condition. There are five different groups of pulmonary 
hypertension:

  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • Pulmonary hypertension due to left-sided heart disease
  • Pulmonary hypertension due to lung disease and/or hypoxia
  • Pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary artery obstructions, including chronic 
  • thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
  • Pulmonary hypertension with unknown and/or multiple causes

To learn more about Pulmonary hypertension, please visit the links in the menu on the 
left. There you will find detailed information about various diagnoses, their causes and 
risk factors, as well as prevention, screening and treatment options.