Types of Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is classified into five groups, based on the different causes:
Pulmonary arterial hypertension, which directly affects the walls of the arteries in the lungs making them stiff and thick, and thereby causing the arteries to become narrowed, blocked or destroyed.
Disorders that can occur on the left side of the heart, such as problems with the heart valves or with the pumping or relaxing of the heart muscle.
Lung conditions that require oxygen as treatment, such as advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease or cystic fibrosis. Even more common conditions like sleep apnea can cause this type of PH.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which is related to blood clots (pulmonary emboli) that have not dissolved over time and continue to obstruct to blood flow.
Encompasses other generally rare conditions, but may include some common diseases, such as sarcoidosis or sickle cell disease.