Causes

Pulmonary hypertension is caused by changes to the pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs.

There are 5 main types of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) covers several conditions that cause changes in the smaller branches of the pulmonary arteries.

The walls of the arteries become thick and stiff, narrowing the space for blood to pass through and increasing blood pressure.

PAH can be caused by conditions including:

It can also be caused by certain medicines or drugs.

A small number of people develop PAH without having any other medical condition. This is called idiopathic PAH. In very rare cases, PAH can be inherited. 

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

In rare cases, newborn babies can have high pressure inside their blood vessels, which means their heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood around their body. This is known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Treatment in an intensive care unit may be needed if simple measures such as keeping the baby warm and giving oxygen do not increase oxygen levels to normal.

The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children website has more information about persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Pulmonary hypertension linked to left heart disease

If there are problems with the left side of the heart, the right side has to work harder to pump blood through the lungs. This increases blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.

Problems with the left side of the heart are thought to be one of the most common causes of pulmonary hypertension. These include mitral valve problems, left ventricle problems and aortic valve conditions.

Pulmonary hypertension linked with lung disease or lack of oxygen

Pulmonary hypertension is also sometimes linked with lung diseases or lack of oxygen (hypoxia), including:

Low levels of oxygen in the blood make the pulmonary arteries narrow. This squeezes the blood into a smaller space, which increases blood pressure, causing pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension caused by blood clots

Pulmonary hypertension can sometimes be caused by scars from previous blood clots that narrow or block the pulmonary arteries. This is called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

A blood clot that blocks one of the blood vessels that supply your lungs is called a pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary hypertension caused by other conditions

Other, less common, causes of pulmonary hypertension include: 

Read about how pulmonary hypertension is diagnosed.

Page last reviewed: 2 May 2023
Next review due: 2 May 2026