Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening lung disease where the pulmonary arteries become narrow and get blocked. This increases blood pressure in the lungs, which causes the heart to work harder to pump out blood through narrow arteries, weakening heart muscles gradually and causing heart failure. Anyone can get diagnosed with PAH, but certain risk factors make some people more susceptible to it. Here are six risk factors to look out for.

High altitude
High altitude can affect people due to the low amount of oxygen that is present in the air. Living at or over 2500 meters, for several years, can cause high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). Regularly traveling to high altitude areas can also be dangerous. These are risk factors that can increase pressure in the arteries that take blood from the heart to the lungs.

Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is the loss of oxygen in the blood while a person sleeps. A research study from the American College of Chest Physicians showed that 17 to 53 percent of those who have sleep apnea also get pulmonary hypertension. If a sleep apnea lasts for long, it can cause a dramatic loss of oxygen in the bloodstream. This increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, producing symptoms of PAH.

Other illnesses
Having other diseases that increase pressure in the arteries can also cause PAH. These include lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema. Diseases that affect the connective tissues like lupus and scleroderma can put one at risk of PAH.

Pregnancy
PAH can be a risk factor for mortality during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant and have PAH may face an inability to improve cardiac output. This reduces the oxygen concentration in the blood and can lead to systemic vascular resistance. In some instances, this condition can also cause heart failure. Diagnostic testing is essential during pregnancy to determine the severity of PAH.

Genetic history of PAH
PAH can also be genetically passed down through generations. Such cases are called familial pulmonary arterial hypertension. If one or more relatives have PAH, the risk of being diagnosed with PAH is more likely. When the disease occurs because it is inherited, it is often known to have an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. This means that only a copy of the altered gene present in each cell can induce the disorder.

Exposure to drugs and toxins
Exposure to, or consumption of, certain drugs and toxins are associated with PAH. Recreational drugs like methamphetamines can cause PAH symptoms due to its cardiovascular effects. It makes the heart race and increases blood pressure in the lungs. Appetite suppressants like benfluorex, aminorex, fen phen, and fenfluramine derivatives can be high risk factors for PAH. Even certain drugs, like dasatinib, used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia, is associated with PAH.