What is all about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ?

 


What is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare, chronic, and progressive form of Pulmonary Hypertension which is characterized by the elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in blood vessels carrying the blood from the right side of the heart through lungs. It occurs due to the tightening and stiffening of the small pulmonary arteries leading to the right ventricular dysfunction and vessel obstruction.

According to the American Lung Association, “Normally, the pressure in the right side of the heart and the blood vessels of the lungs is lower than in the rest of the body. This allows the blood to collect as much oxygen as possible while in the lungs. In the case of PAH, the scarred and narrowed blood vessels in the lungs making it harder for the blood to get through. This forces the right side of the heart to pump harder, under greater pressure. If this increased pressure is not treated, it can cause the right side of the heart to become overworked and possibly fail. This problem can also reduce the ability of the blood to collect enough oxygen to keep the body functioning normally.”

New York Heart Association (NYHA) had classified Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) as Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV to determine the severity of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Symptoms with less activity appear in higher functional class.

The disease is found to be more common among women as compared to men. It is also observed that the patients with Systemic Sclerosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV infection) are at a higher risk of developing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Read More- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment

Comments