Who Is At Risk for Pulmonary Hypertension?
The exact number of people who have pulmonary
hypertension (PH) isn't known. Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
without a known cause is rare. PH that occurs with another disease or condition
is more common.
Anyone can develop PH. However, PAH that has no
known cause affects about two to three times as many women as men. PH usually
develops between the ages of 20 and 60, but it can occur at any age.
People who are at increased risk for PH include:
- Those who have a family history of the
condition.
- Those who have certain diseases or conditions,
such as heart and lung diseases, liver disease, HIV infection, or blood clots
in the pulmonary arteries. (For more information on diseases, conditions, and
factors that can lead to PH, see "Types of Pulmonary
Hypertension.")
- Those who use certain diet medicines or street
drugs (such as cocaine).
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