Causes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

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There are many causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not all of them are known. Because incidences of pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ), are so low, it is difficult to learn about the disease through clinical means. Many experts believe that a person who develops pulmonary arterial hypertension is especially sensitive to factors that can cause the blood vessels to constrict. This disease affects individuals of all ages and all racial backgrounds. The condition occurs mainly in men and women in their 30’s and 40’s, with double the number of cases occurring in women than men.

Close to 10% of cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension are attributed to genetics passed down in the family. In addition, individuals diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease are more likely to develop pulmonary arterial hypertension. Raynaud’s disease is a condition in which the blood vessels in the fingers and toes are extremely sensitive to cold, causing the fingers and toes to turn blue when exposed to cold weather. Conditions that can contribute to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension include HIV, cirrhosis, sickle cell anemia, and congenital heart disease. The development of pulmonary arterial hypertension has also been linked to cocaine use and pregnancy.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension has been associated with the usage of some popular diet drugs and stimulants. These medications include:

Fen Phen - The association between Fen Phen and pulmonary arterial hypertension is one of the most well known links between a medication and a life-threatening complication. Fen Phen is an anti-obesity medication linked to occurrences of pulmonary arterial hypertension and valvular heart disease. The medication was pulled from the market in 1997.

Pondimin - Generically known as fenfluramine, Pondimin is an anti-obesity medication released to the US market in 1973. The medication has been linked to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension as well as incidences of heart valve disease and cardiac fibrosis. The medication was withdrawn from the market in 1997.

Redux - This medication is intended for short term management of obesity. Known generically as dexfenfluramine, this medication was found to increase the risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension by 23 times with as little as 3 months of regular usage. Because of this greatly increased risk, Redux was recalled in 1997.

Ephedra - Ephedra is an herbal supplement used as a weight loss aid, stimulant, and energy supplement. Links between ephedra and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary arterial hypertension led to the supplement being banned for sale in the United States in 2003.

Phenylpropanolamine - This medication is commonly used as an appetite suppressant and decongestant. It has been linked to numerous cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension and hemorrhagic strokes, causing the medication to be removed from over-the-counter sale. It was also requested that drug manufacturers no longer market any products containing the medication.

St. John’s Wort - This herbal medicine was combined with ephedra to create a “safer” herbal Fen Phen dietary supplement, but the combination was also found to result in an elevated risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. St. John’s wort can also alter the effectiveness of the drugs used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Millions of individuals have taken these medications in the hopes of leading healthier lives, but instead they increased their risk for a potentially deadly condition. The number of cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension in individuals who have taken these medications will continue to rise because, in many cases, the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension do not appear until many years after the individual has stopped taking the medication. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a very serious condition with only 55% of patients diagnosed with the condition surviving more than 4 years after diagnosis.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Resources

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH ) occurs when the blood pressure of the pulmonary artery increases to dangerous levels. Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ) in the older medical journals, pulmonary arterial hypertension is considered a rare disorder that is difficult to treat and that few patients survive …

Symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - When reviewing the medical history of patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, physicians find that the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension manifest gradually. In some cases, symptoms may take up to ten years to appear ...

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - A diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is only arrived at after a series of tests are performed to ensure that pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not some other disorder, is responsible for the symptoms observed. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rarely detected while it is still in the early stages ...

Causes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - There are many causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not all of them are known. Because incidences of pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ), are so low, it is difficult to learn about the disease through clinical means ...

Treatments for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Pulmonary arterial hypertension treatments are much more effective when the condition is diagnosed early. Because of the difficulty of treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, doctors need to carefully tailor each treatment program to the needs of the individual. Treating this condition requires numerous follow-ups to determine the best course of treatment, and treatments may be adjusted if they become ineffective ...

Complications of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension can develop many complications, some life-threatening. One dangerous complication that may be experienced by individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension is cor pulmonale, which is a condition in which the right ventricle of the heart enlarges and, in time, fails ...

Do I have a Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH) lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension cases in all 50 states.

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