Table of Contents
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is a chronic, progressive disease that is characterized by high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. When blood pressure is high, it can damage the arteries and organs, including the heart, kidneys, and brain.
Types of Hypertension
There are different types of hypertension, and each has a different cause.
Essential hypertension is the most common type of hypertension. It doesn’t have a known cause, but it’s thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Secondary hypertension is caused by another condition, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or an adrenal gland tumor.
Pregnancy-related hypertension is a type of hypertension that affects some pregnant women. It’s caused by the changes in hormones that occur during pregnancy.
Renal hypertension is a type of hypertension that’s caused by a problem with the kidneys. This can lead to a build-up of fluid in the body, which can cause the blood pressure to rise.
Benign essential hypertension is a type of hypertension that’s caused by a problem with the blood vessels. This can lead to a build-up of fluid in the body, which can cause the blood pressure to rise.
What is Hypertension Symptoms?
Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure is chronically high. The symptoms of hypertension depend on the severity of the condition. In some people, hypertension is asymptomatic, meaning that they do not experience any symptoms. In others, hypertension can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including:
Headache
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Nausea
Vomiting
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Racing heart rate
The symptoms of hypertension can vary from person to person and can also change over time.
Reasons for Hypertension
There are many reasons why someone might develop hypertension, or high blood pressure. Some common causes include:
-Smoking
-Being overweight or obese
-Not getting enough exercise
-Drinking too much alcohol
-Eating a diet high in salt
-Having a family history of hypertension
-Being older than 65
Other causes of hypertension can include:
-Having a tumor on your adrenal gland
-Having a narrowing or blockage in your arteries
-Having kidney disease
-Having diabetes
Sometimes the cause of hypertension is unknown.
Hypertension Diagnosis
Hypertension is diagnosed when a person has a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. This can damage the arteries and lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Treatment of Hypertension
There are many different ways to treat hypertension, depending on the severity of the condition. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, and weight loss may be recommended for mild hypertension. If lifestyle changes do not lower blood pressure enough, medications may be prescribed. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers are some of the most common medications used to treat hypertension.
