Hypertension
DEFINITION
Hypertension is a chronic health condition in which circulation in thearteries is continuously raised.
The pressure exerted by blood upon the blood vesselwall while it flows through it (especially the arteries) is known a bloodpressure. A blood pressure reading less than or equal to 120/80 mm Hg isconsidered as the normal blood pressure range. Also known as hypertension, highblood pressure can be divided into three grades. Hypertension is demonstrated by twomeasurements namely the systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic is themaximum pressure and diastolic is the minimum pressure and individual solid tohave hypertension if the resting pressure is continuously at or above 140 / 90mmHg. Hypertension is not a seriouscondition when you have it for short time but if left untreated or increasedpressure is persistent it can lead to several health complications likecardiovascular diseases, attack, heart failure, kidney failure and so on.
CAUSES
Lifestyle and dietary factors are the lead causes ofhypertension. Hypertension is classified as primary hypertension and secondaryhypertension. Primary hypertension is caused due to lifestyle and geneticfactors. Lifestyle factors include excess salt intake, heavy weight, smokingand alcohol consumption.
Secondary hypertension is caused due to certainchronic diseases like kidney diseases, narrowing of the kidney arteries,endocrine disorder and also due to usage of birth control pills.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY :
Hypertension can be classified by cause as eitheressential (also known as primary or idiopathic) or secondary about 90 – 95% ofhypertension is essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension indicates that thee hypertension is a result of aspecific underlying condition with well known mechanism. Such as chronic kidneydisease, narrowing of the aorta or kidney arteries, or endocrine disorder suchas excess aldosterone, cortisol, or catecholamines. Persistent hypertension isa major risk factor for hypertensive heart disease, coronary artery disease,stroke, aortic, aneurysm, peripheral artery disease and chronic kidney disease.