Causes of pulmonary hypertension
The heart has two galleries (atria) and two chambers (ventricles) where blood moves to and from the whole body. Before being sent back throughout the body, the heart's right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries to release carbon dioxide content and carry oxygen.
In good physical condition, blood can flow easily through the lungs. But in the case of pulmonary hypertension, changes in the blood vessels of the lungs prevent blood and oxygen from flowing properly.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is caused by narrowing, blockage or damage to small blood vessels and capillaries, causing an increase in arterial blood pressure. High blood pressure then makes the walls of blood vessels thick, stiff, inflamed, contracted or cause extra tissue growth which leads to a reduction in blood flow. Pulmonary hypertension can be caused by the following conditions:
Pulmonary hypertension can also occur in newborns. This disease prevents the heart from flowing oxygenated blood throughout the body. This disease is known as persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns.
Eisenmenger's syndrome is another cause of pulmonary hypertension. This condition is a type of congenital heart disease caused by a large opening between two chambers of the heart. Eisenmenger's syndrome causes oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood. Then, oxygen-rich blood must be poured throughout the body, returned to the lungs. This condition increases pressure on the pulmonary arteries, triggering pulmonary hypertension.
Apart from these causes, the risk of suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension can also increase if:
In good physical condition, blood can flow easily through the lungs. But in the case of pulmonary hypertension, changes in the blood vessels of the lungs prevent blood and oxygen from flowing properly.
- Group 1: Pulmonary arterial hypertension or also called idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. The cause is unknown, but there are several factors behind this condition. These factors include congenital genetic mutations, congenital heart disease, connective tissue diseases such as lupus, HIV infection, cirrhosis or appetite suppressants, such as methamphetamine.
- Group 2: Pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by left heart disease. This condition also affects the right side of the heart. For example, heart valve disease (mitral valve) and hypertension that lasts a long time.
- Group 3: Pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis. Someone who lives too long in the highlands is also at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension.
- Group 4: Pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic blood clots in the lungs.
- Group 5: Pulmonary hypertension caused by other conditions, such as sarcoidosis or tumors that suppress the pulmonary arteries.
Pulmonary hypertension can also occur in newborns. This disease prevents the heart from flowing oxygenated blood throughout the body. This disease is known as persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns.
Eisenmenger's syndrome is another cause of pulmonary hypertension. This condition is a type of congenital heart disease caused by a large opening between two chambers of the heart. Eisenmenger's syndrome causes oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood. Then, oxygen-rich blood must be poured throughout the body, returned to the lungs. This condition increases pressure on the pulmonary arteries, triggering pulmonary hypertension.
Apart from these causes, the risk of suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension can also increase if:
- Overweight
- Have a family with a history of pulmonary hypertension.
- Drug abuse, like cocaine.
- Eat appetite suppressants.
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