The Cause of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a Mystery

While hard to believe, the truth about the cause or causes of primary pulmonary hypertension or PPH has never been determined.  Researchers on this topic, however, do have several theories. One major theory is that certain diet drugs, also known as appetite suppressants, can make a person more susceptible to develop this disastrous condition.

Primary pulmonary hypertension or PPH happens when blood pressure in the major blood vessel that connects the right heart ventricle and the lungs is higher than normal, which creates a situation where one’s life is threatened. Primary pulmonary hypertension will come about for no apparent reason and is therefore often referred to other names, like idiopathic pulmonary hypertension or unexplained pulmonary hypertension.

Recent developments in research have shown that a mutation in the gene called BMPR2, may be the cause of primary pulmonary hypertension. Researchers are also investigating the idea that there are other genes that may play a part in leading to the development of PPH. The idea that even other genes are contributors to the development of the disease by working together with the known mutation of the BMPR2 gene is more than probable. If this proves true, then primary pulmonary hypertension could be, in some rare cases, hereditary.

Most cases of primary pulmonary hypertension are, however, found to be non-hereditary. While cirrhosis, drug abuse, and H.I.V. are known to be associated with primary pulmonary hypertension, they still provide no clue to the disease’s actual cause. The most powerful evidence that has been discovered regarding the cause of PPH is the use of diet drugs. The research has found a direct connection between the use of appetite suppressants and an increased risk of primary pulmonary hypertension.

Fen Phen, also called by the names, Pondimin and Redux, is one such diet drug that has been found to directly support the correlation findings. These drugs were used by many healthcare facilities for over twenty five years, starting back in the 1970s. The makers and those who prescribed the drugs did not pay enough attention to the potential risks of these medications. The idea that weight loss would absolutely lead to much better health, actually blinded the professionals to the risks of using the drugs. Since the responsible parties did not take care to be thorough in their duties, users of the diet drugs are now at a higher risk to become sufferers of primary pulmonary hypertension.