About PAH Understanding PAH and its impact
What is PAH?
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a type of high blood pressure that affects both the heart and lungs. It causes the blood vessels in the lungs to become narrower, which makes the heart work extra hard to push blood through the narrow vessels.
Common PAH symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness, fainting
- Swollen abdomen
- Swollen ankles
- Irregular heartbeat
PAH can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms are so similar to other more common diseases such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease. Doctors may try a variety of tests to rule out PAH, but the only way to definitively diagnose PAH is a right heart catheterization.

I come back every three months and I do my walk test. And most of the time I rock it. I have my bad moments. It's part of life. But most of the time I rock it.
- Lisa, Orenitram Patient
Individual experiences may vary.



What is risk status—
and why is it so important?
PAH is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. That's why it's so important to understand whether your PAH is getting better, staying the same, or progressing.
Know your risk status
- Low risk Mild PAH
- Intermediate risk Moderate PAH
- High risk Severe PAH
Doctors may look at many different measures, such as the function of the right side of
your heart and your 6-minute walk test. From that, they make decisions about your care.

What is moderate PAH?
Moderate PAH is just another, more general, way of saying "intermediate risk." Most people have moderate PAH when they're diagnosed.
Moderate PAH is different for everyone. Some people with moderate (intermediate risk) PAH may be closer to mild PAH, while others may be closer to severe PAH. That's why it's so important to check in with your doctor every 3-6 months so they can monitor your progress. Doctors may use an echocardiogram or other tests to help them determine the next steps in your treatment.
Getting to low risk status is a key goal of treatment
Having lower risk, which is mild PAH, is linked to better outcomes for some patients.
Learn about Orenitram and how it may help
Why Orenitram?
