Group 5 pulmonary hypertension is secondary to other diseases, often in ways that are not well understood. These associated conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • Systemic disorders that involve the lungs such as sarcoidosis.
  • Sickle cell anemia, chronic hemolytic anemia, splenectomy (spleen removal) and other blood-related disorders.
  • Certain metabolic disorders including thyroid disease.
  • Chronic kidney failure, some cancers and other rare diseases.

Treatment of the underlying disease can improve outcomes for the patient with PH.

Conditions that increase your risk for Group 5 PH

These associated diseases or conditions are among those that can increase your risk of developing Group 5 PH.

  • Sarcoidosis

    Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that can affect many organs and in particular the lungs, increases the risk for sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension.

  • Sickle cell anemia

    Pulmonary hypertension is an increasingly recognized complication of sickle cell disease, a type of inherited anemia. Studies show that 6 to 11% of adults with sickle cell disease develop PH.

Right Heart Blog

  • Meet Samuel Hall: Inventor, PH Patient and Sarcoidosis ‘Warrior’
    Inventor, PH Patient and Sarcoidosis ‘Warrior’

    Samuel Hall’s pulmonary hypertension developed nearly a decade after he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. The inflammatory disease can affect many organs but often causes lung issues and shortness of breath on exertion. Samuel, the inventor of the O2 Safety Strap, considers himself a sarcoidosis warrior. The Springfield, Missouri, resident talks to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) to mark Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.