Pulmonary hypertension is sometimes caused by genetics. This type is called idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. The other type of pulmonary hypertension, which can have a variety of causes, is called secondary pulmonary hypertension. There are several causes for this type of pulmonary hypertension, but the most common cause is blocked or narrowed arteries. Other causes include the development of blood clots within the lungs, sleep disorders, sickle cell anemia, connective tissue disorders, congenital heart disease, AIDS, lung diseases, severe liver disease, heart failure on the left side, drug use and even climbing or living in environments where the altitude is above 8,000 feet.
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