Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive condition that worsens and can prove to be fatal if left untreated. There are treatment options available for the condition that helps in alleviating the symptoms. There are several causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and commonly, there is more than one mechanism failure that leads to the condition.

What causes the condition?
The human heart is made of two upper chambers known as atria and two lower chambers known as ventricles. When the blood passes through the heart, the lower chamber in the right side pumps the blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery – a blood vessel.

Once the blood is in the lungs, the carbon dioxide is released and oxygen is retained. Normally, the blood flows smoothly through the blood vessels present in the lungs. But when there is any change in the cells found in the lining of the pulmonary arteries, it can lead to stiffening, swelling, and thickening of the arteries. Due to this, there can be an obstruction in the flow of the blood through the lungs. This leads to pulmonary hypertension.

In some cases, the cause of increased pressure of blood in the lungs cannot be determined. In such cases, the condition is referred to as idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Sometimes genes can be responsible behind the condition.

Sometimes, there are other conditions that act as the causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. These include the following:

Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is a term referred to as the condition where the heart is not working as efficiently as it should. When the blood moves at a slower speed through the body and heart, there is increased pressure on the heart. This results in reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the body. As a response to this, the heart chambers stretch in order to keep more blood that can be supplied to the body or they become thick or stiff. This helps in the flow of the blood, but eventually, the heart muscle can become weak and stop pumping blood efficiently. This can result in the kidneys to retain salt and water in the body. When the fluid starts to build up in various parts of the body such as lungs, feet, arms, and ankles, the condition is termed as congestive heart failure.

Formation of blood clots in the lungs
Whenever there is a cut in any part of the body, the blood must shut down to stop any spilling. This is where blood clots have a role to play — they can save a person’s life by stopping the spillage of blood. However, if they are formed when not required, they can lead to a stroke, heart attack, or other severe medical conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Other causes
Other than these severe conditions, there are several other causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. These can include:

• Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine
• A birth defect in the heart
• Sleep apnea
• Conditions affecting the lungs such as pulmonary fibrosis
• Liver diseases.