Pulmonary arterial hypertension affects thousands of people yearly and is considered a life-threatening medical condition. Unlike usual hypertension, this increase in blood pressure targets the heart and lungs. A hardening, thickening, or blockage of the pulmonary artery puts an increased amount of pressure on the heart.
If pulmonary hypertension goes untreated, the condition can lead to heart failure. Early diagnosis is key to preventing pulmonary hypertension from worsening.