Summary about Hypertension
Hypertension (HTN) is a chronic disease
– A persistent, sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure (BP)
– BP → SBP ≥ 140mmHg & DBP ≥ 90 mmHg
-HTN is often asymptomatic ( silent killer)
-HTN is one of the most common cardiovascular disease (CVD)
-The term CVD refers to a group of diseases, including → the diseases of the heart, vascular diseases of the brain & the diseases of other blood vessels
-HTN is a widely prevalent disease→ its prevalence increaase with advancing age
Types of hypertension:
Hypertension can be classified into 2 major types:
1- Primary/ idiopathic/essential HTN :
– > 90-95% (majority of patients belong to this group)
-No underlying or no specific cause can be identified
2- Secondary HTN:
Relatively rare ,the remaining patients can be classified as having secondary hypertension
Caused by a clinically identifiable reason due to a specific disease or drug , as secondary to :
– Renal: as intrinsic renal disease/ renal parenchymal disease or renovascular disease as renal artery stenosis
–Endocrine: as phaeochromocytoma , primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome), Cushing syndrome, thyrotoxicosis
–Drugs: as oral contraceptive , corticosteroids
Summary of stages of Hypertension
The American Heart Association has recommended guidelines to define normal and high blood pressure.
- Normal blood pressure less than 120/80
- Pre-hypertension 120-139/ 80-89
- High blood pressure (stage 1) 140-159/90-99
- High blood pressure (stage 2) higher than 160/100
Hypertension complications and target organ damage
-HTN is a major risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events → as a consequences of sustained high arterial BP → damages blood vessels in kidney, heart & brain leads to → increase incidence of renal failure, coronary artery disease, heart failure& stroke
HTN if left untreated leads to a variety of HTN complications on the:
-Heart: CAD [as angina] &its complications
[as MI&HF]
-Brain: cerebrovascular disease as hypertensive encephalopathy, stroke
-Kidney: renal failure
-PVD
-Eyes: hypertensive retinopathy
Useful links:
The Stages of Hypertension
Assessment of hypertension
high blood pressure article
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Overview
