Is pulmonary hypertension hereditary?

Sometimes: Pulmonary hypertension is not one disease, but several, and how inherited it is depends on the type of disease and the cause. There is a type called familial pulmonary hypertension which is, by definition, inherited. Other types of pulmonary hypertension are caused by other conditions such as heart disease or sleep apneas. Blood clots to the lungs can be inherited and can also cause pulm htn.

Can be-usually not.: Most patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah) are the only member of the family affected. Less that 10% will have an affected relative. However, genes have been identified that are associated with pah. Genetic testing can be done at some centers.

Sometimes: The new dana point classification of pulmonary HTN includes an hereditary class. For those pts specific genetic testing for chromosomal abnormalities is indicated.

It may be inherited: Up to 5% of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah) may have a genetic or heritable cause. Research studies have identified a genetic abnormality affecting bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (bmpr2) that appears to predispose a patient to pah. Fortunately, even if an individual inherits the abnormal gene, the likelihood of developing pah is only 1 in 5.