The California Life Sciences Association estimates 30 million people, or one in 10 Americans, are living with a rare disease. A disease is defined as rare when it affects less than 200,000 people. Among the cases in America, there are 7,000 known rare diseases. One of them is the incurable pulmonary hypertension, and more specifically, pulmonary arterial hypertension. Behind the Mystery has the inside scoop on this disease and why we should be more aware of it. What Is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)? PAH is a chronic and progressive rare disease that affects a heart's ability to pump blood to the lungs. This is due to high blood pressure in the arteries of one's lungs. PAH causes the arteries from the heart to the lungs to narrow, which makes it difficult for blood to flow from the heart to the lungs. Without regular blood flow, lungs don't receive enough oxygen. This puts extra strain on the heart, which makes it harder to pump blood to the lungs. This may lead to symptoms such
