PAH most commonly refers to Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. It's a type of high blood pressure specifically affecting the arteries in the lungs. In PAH, the small arteries in the lungs become narrowed, blocked, or constricted, increasing blood pressure within these vessels. This can lead to various symptoms and, if left untreated, can be life-threatening. Several sources including the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pulmonary-arterial-hypertension), Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-hypertension/symptoms-causes/syc-20350697), and MedlinePlus (https://medlineplus.gov/pulmonaryhypertension.html) confirm this definition.
While less common, PAH can also stand for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are a group of chemical compounds formed during the incomplete burning of organic substances. This is a completely different meaning, unrelated to the medical context.
Key Aspects of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH):
- A type of pulmonary hypertension: PAH is a specific form of the broader condition, pulmonary hypertension.
- Obstructed lung arteries: The primary characteristic is increased blood pressure caused by obstructions in the small arteries of the lungs.
- Various causes: The underlying cause of PAH can vary and may not always be identifiable.
- Symptoms: Symptoms can be subtle initially and may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. These may not appear until the condition has progressed significantly. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23913-pulmonary-arterial-hypertension)
Distinguishing PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) from other uses:
It's crucial to understand the context when encountering the abbreviation PAH. In medical discussions, it almost exclusively refers to pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, in other scientific fields, like environmental science, it could signify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
