PH can strike anyone. It typically affects people between 20 and 60 years of age, but PH can also affect children and the elderly. PH affects both men and women. However, certain types of PH are more common in females:
- idiopathic PAH (IPAH, previously known as PPH)
- PAH associated with connective tissue disease like scleroderma
Some people are more likely to develop PH. Factors that increase the risk of a person developing PH include:
- A family history of a close relative being affected by PH
- The use of appetite-suppressant medications for weight loss (for example, fenfluramine or abuse of recreational drugs (for example, cocaine)
- A history of blood clots in the lungs (also known as pulmonary emboli)
- The presence of other medical conditions, including lung disease (for example, emphysema), heart disease (for example, heart failure), and general medical conditions (for example, connective tissue disease like scleroderma).