Hypertension (primary/essential) is one of the most common diseases diagnosed today. Hypertension is a major risk factor in cardiac heart disease, including myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Hypertension is also an independent risk factor for the development of stroke and renal failure. A person with hypertension has double the risk of developing cardiac heart disease than those who have normal blood pressures.
What is primary/essential hypertension? It is a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm/HG or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90mm/HG. A specific cause for primary/essential hypertension has not been identified, however, it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought …show more content…
There are other factors that can contribute to this disease such as gender, race, high salt diet or a diet low in potassium, calcium and magnesium, diabetes, smoking, obesity, stress, sedentary life style and alcohol abuse.
What are the symptoms of hypertension? In the early stages of primary/essential hypertension, there may be no symptoms other than high blood pressure. This is why primary/essential hypertension is called the “silent killer”. Many of the symptoms are caused by problems due to damaged organs and tissues separate from the vascular system.
What is treatment for primary/essential hypertension? The treatment varies with each individual and depends on the severity. First line agents that are typically used are thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors/blockers or calcium channel blockers. However, if a person has had an MI or has coronary artery disease with angina, beta blockers are typically used. A lot of time, most people use two or more medications to effectively control hypertension and usually one is a thiazide diuretic. The following lifestyle changes are also effective in helping to control hypertension: stop smoking, weight loss, physical activity, decrease sodium intake and follow the DASH
What is primary/essential hypertension? It is a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm/HG or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90mm/HG. A specific cause for primary/essential hypertension has not been identified, however, it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought …show more content…
There are other factors that can contribute to this disease such as gender, race, high salt diet or a diet low in potassium, calcium and magnesium, diabetes, smoking, obesity, stress, sedentary life style and alcohol abuse.
What are the symptoms of hypertension? In the early stages of primary/essential hypertension, there may be no symptoms other than high blood pressure. This is why primary/essential hypertension is called the “silent killer”. Many of the symptoms are caused by problems due to damaged organs and tissues separate from the vascular system.
What is treatment for primary/essential hypertension? The treatment varies with each individual and depends on the severity. First line agents that are typically used are thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors/blockers or calcium channel blockers. However, if a person has had an MI or has coronary artery disease with angina, beta blockers are typically used. A lot of time, most people use two or more medications to effectively control hypertension and usually one is a thiazide diuretic. The following lifestyle changes are also effective in helping to control hypertension: stop smoking, weight loss, physical activity, decrease sodium intake and follow the DASH