PAH or pulmonary arterial hypertension can be defined as the narrowing of the blood vessels in the lungs. The vessels can also be blocked or destroyed in this ailment, and it results in the slowing of the blood flow to the lungs, and the blood pressure in lung arteries increases. Listed below are the symptoms and causes of PAH that can paint a clear picture of this health condition.

Symptoms of PAH

• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations or a racing pulse
• Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, and it initially occurs while performing some physical activity, and with time, people also experience it while they are resting.
• Fainting spells or dizziness also addressed as syncope
• Edema or swelling in the legs and ankles, which eventually spreads to the abdomen

Causes for PAH
The knowledge about symptoms and causes for PAH can help people understand what health problems can result in this serious health issue. When there are certain changes in the cells lining the pulmonary arteries, the walls of the arteries can become swollen and stiff, which, in turn, blocks the flow of blood through the lungs. PAH is one of the several types of pulmonary hypertension, and following are some of the known causes of pulmonary hypertension:

• Other existing medical conditions
  Hypertension can be a result of other existing ailments in the body. Liver cirrhosis and chronic liver diseases can be considered as causes for PAH. Some other diseases like rheumatic disorders like lupus or scleroderma can also be on that list of causes. Other lung conditions and even tumors can lead to this ailment.
• Thromboembolic disease
  Another point on the list of symptoms and causes for PAH can be a blood clot present in the large pulmonary artery, which can lead to the development of this disease.
• Some heart ailments
  Heart diseases like mitral valve disease, left heart failure, aortic valve disease, and congenital heart disease can also be considered as reasons for pulmonary hypertension.
• Genetic reasons
  There are some pulmonary hypertension cases in which the patients have inherited the disease from their family members. The number of cases is not that high, but still, it is one of the several causes. Therefore, if your family has some history of pulmonary hypertension, you should keep a close check on the symptoms and get adequate medical assistance.
• Conditions with low levels of oxygen
  Sleep apnea, obesity, and residing in places with high altitudes can also be some of the causes that lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension in people.
• Some medications
  Medical drugs such as phentermine and dexfenfluramine are known to increase the risk of getting this ailment in people.

Keeping a close eye on symptoms and causes for PAH can help people take proper action before the situation gets severe.