Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disorder characterized by abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) in the pulmonary artery, the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is one form of a broader condition known as pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when most of the very small arteries throughout the lungs narrow in diameter, which increases the resistance to blood flow through the lungs. To overcome the increased resistance, blood pressure increases in the pulmonary artery and in the right ventricle of the heart, which is the chamber that pumps blood into the pulmonary artery. Ultimately, the increased blood pressure can damage the right ventricle of the heart.

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension occur when increased blood pressure cannot fully overcome the elevated resistance. As a result, the flow of oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body is insufficient. Shortness of breath (dyspnea) during exertion and fainting spells are the most common symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. People with this disorder may experience additional symptoms, particularly as the condition worsens. Other symptoms include dizziness, swelling (edema) of the ankles or legs, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate.

In the United States, about 1,000 new cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension are diagnosed each year. This disorder is twice as common in females as in males.

Mutations in the BMPR2 gene are the most common genetic cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This gene plays a role in regulating the number of cells in certain tissues. Researchers suggest that a mutation in this gene promotes cell division or prevents cell death, resulting in an overgrowth of cells in small arteries throughout the lungs. As a result, these arteries narrow in diameter, which increases the resistance to blood flow. Blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle of the heart increases to overcome the increased resistance to blood flow.

Mutations in several additional genes have also been found to cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, but they are much less common causes of the disorder than are BMPR2 gene mutations. Variations in other genes may increase the risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension or modify the course of the disease (usually making it more severe). Changes in as-yet-unidentified genes may also be associated with this condition.

Although pulmonary arterial hypertension often occurs on its own, it can also be part of syndromes that affect many parts of the body. For example, this condition is occasionally found in people with systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, critical congenital heart disease, or Down syndrome.

Researchers have also identified nongenetic factors that increase the risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension. These include certain drugs used as appetite suppressants and several illegal drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is also a rare complication of certain infectious diseases, including HIV and schistosomiasis.

Genetic Testing Information

• Genetic Testing Registry: Pulmonary hypertension, primary, 1
• Genetic Testing Registry: Pulmonary hypertension, primary, 2
• Genetic Testing Registry: Pulmonary hypertension, primary, 3
• Genetic Testing Registry: Pulmonary hypertension, primary, 4

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, PRIMARY, 1; PPH1
• PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, PRIMARY, 2; PPH2
• PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, PRIMARY, 3; PPH3
• PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, PRIMARY, 4; PPH4

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

• Austin ED, Loyd JE. The genetics of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circ Res. 2014 Jun 20;115(1):189-202. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.303404. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Austin ED, Phillips JA III, Loyd JE. Heritable Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Overview. 2002 Jul 18 [updated 2020 Dec 23]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1485/ Citation on PubMed
• Machado RD, Aldred MA, James V, Harrison RE, Patel B, Schwalbe EC, Gruenig E, Janssen B, Koehler R, Seeger W, Eickelberg O, Olschewski H, Elliott CG, Glissmeyer E, Carlquist J, Kim M, Torbicki A, Fijalkowska A, Szewczyk G, Parma J, Abramowicz MJ, Galie N, Morisaki H, Kyotani S, Nakanishi N, Morisaki T, Humbert M, Simonneau G, Sitbon O, Soubrier F, Coulet F, Morrell NW, Trembath RC. Mutations of the TGF-beta type II receptor BMPR2 in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hum Mutat. 2006 Feb;27(2):121-32. doi: 10.1002/humu.20285. Citation on PubMed
• Machado RD, Southgate L, Eichstaedt CA, Aldred MA, Austin ED, Best DH, Chung WK, Benjamin N, Elliott CG, Eyries M, Fischer C, Graf S, Hinderhofer K, Humbert M, Keiles SB, Loyd JE, Morrell NW, Newman JH, Soubrier F, Trembath RC, Viales RR, Grunig E. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Current Perspective on Established and Emerging Molecular Genetic Defects. Hum Mutat. 2015 Dec;36(12):1113-27. doi: 10.1002/humu.22904. Epub 2015 Oct 12. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Montani D, Gunther S, Dorfmuller P, Perros F, Girerd B, Garcia G, Jais X, Savale L, Artaud-Macari E, Price LC, Humbert M, Simonneau G, Sitbon O. Pulmonary arterial hypertension. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013 Jul 6;8:97. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-8-97. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Soubrier F, Chung WK, Machado R, Grunig E, Aldred M, Geraci M, Loyd JE, Elliott CG, Trembath RC, Newman JH, Humbert M. Genetics and genomics of pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013 Dec 24;62(25 Suppl):D13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.10.035. Citation on PubMed