BCSE Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Group I pulmonary hypertension, also known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is classified as a condition that is primarily related to the dysfunction of the small pulmonary arteries. Idiopathic causes are indeed recognized as a significant subset of PAH, where the precise origin of the condition is unknown despite comprehensive investigation. This category can also include heritable forms of the disease, as well as pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with other conditions such as connective tissue diseases, HIV infection, and portal hypertension. The classification underscores the complexity of pulmonary hypertension, particularly where no identifiable external cause can be determined.

In contrast, while asthma, obesity, and diabetes mellitus are all conditions that may influence overall cardiovascular health, they do not specifically cause group I pulmonary hypertension as defined within the clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension. Asthma is primarily a condition affecting the airways and lung function, obesity can lead to other types of pulmonary hypertension but is not classified under group I, and diabetes mellitus is associated with a variety of complications, but again not directly with group I pulmonary hypertension.