Pulmonary hypertension refers to a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs. In pulmonary arterial hypertension, the blood vessels in the lungs get narrowed, blocked, or destroyed. Due to the damage caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension, the blood that flows through your lungs slows down.

Differences between PAH and pulmonary hypertension

Is there a difference between pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension? Yes, some differences prevail between pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension.

1. Fundamental difference
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a specific subgroup of PH or pulmonary hypertension. Due to this, the definition of pulmonary hypertension is more inclusive than pulmonary arterial hypertension.

2. Symptom-based differences
Symptom wise pulmonary hypertension is just an elevation in the pressure in the arteries of the lungs. Some other diseases, including diastolic heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, lung diseases, and diseases of the left heart, can also result in pressures in the pulmonary arteries rising. But these symptoms do not categorize as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Instead, pulmonary arterial hypertension is a disease of the blood vessels of the lungs. In pulmonary arterial hypertension, the structural changes of these vessels result in elevation of pressure. But, if it’s pulmonary hypertension, the elevation of the pressures is caused by another disease. In such cases, blood vessels themselves are not the driver of the symptoms.

3. Treatment-based differences
Treatment-wise as well, both pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension are not similar. This is primarily because the treatments used for pulmonary arterial hypertension will not help the patients with the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. In some cases, it may sometimes actually harm the patients. On the other hand, the treatment for pulmonary hypertension is meant for the management of the disease that is causing the elevation of pressures.

Due to the impact caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension, your heart needs to work harder to pump blood through the lungs. Because of this additional effort of the heart, the heart muscle becomes weak and fails. Because of the absence of on-time care, the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension can slowly worsen and become life-threatening as well. There is no permanent cure available for pulmonary arterial hypertension; however, the available treatments help in the reduction of symptoms, improving the quality of life.

All in all, on-time treatment is always key for the management and prevention of any worst outcomes due to pulmonary arterial hypertension. Furthermore, consumption of a healthful and nutritious diet coupled with regular exercise helps a long way.