The pathophysiology of hypertension is unclear. Some people develop hypertension from an underlying renal or adrenal disease called secondary hypertension, but this is only a small percent. Most people have no single identifiable cause labeling them with a diagnosis of essential (also called primary) hypertension. There are many physiological mechanisms involved in maintaining a normal blood pressure, and the upset of any of these mechanisms may play a role in the development of essential hypertension (Beevers, Lip, & O’Brien, 2001). The focus of this paper will be on the pathophysiology of essential hypertension and the treatment for it.
In 2000 it was estimated that about 25 percent of people worldwide had hypertension and this number …show more content…
People with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of greater than 90 mmHg have isolated diastolic hypertension which is more common in young people. While and SBP greater than 140 mmHg and a DBP less than 90mmHg is called isolated systolic hypertension and is more common in older people (Williams, 2015).
The pathogenesis of essential hypertension is a complex interplay arising from the combined action of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors (Bolivar, 2013). Since blood pressure homeostasis is accomplished by multifactorial mechanisms if there is a change in one of these mechanisms another attempts to correct this change in order to maintain a normal blood pressure. When this system fails and blood pressure can no longer be normalized by this method then essential hypertension results.
A balance between the cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance is essential in maintaining a normal blood pressure. In essential hypertension many people have a normal cardiac output but their peripheral resistance is elevated. Peripheral resistance occurs when the smooth muscle cells of the small arterioles contract which occurs due to an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. If this problem is not is not addressed then it can lead to thickening of the arteriolar vessel walls causing an irreversible rise in the peripheral …show more content…
They do play an important role in other systems that control blood pressure and also assist in regulating blood flow.
Vascular endothelial cells assist with cardiovascular regulation by producing a number of vasoactive agents. Endothelial dysfunction and a decreases in nitric oxide production are found in hypertension but are more than likely a consequence rather than a cause. Although antihypertensive therapy can restore production of nitric oxide it cannot restore all endothelial function.
The sympathetic nervous system is involved in the regulation of blood pressure since it causes arteriolar constriction and arteriolar dilatation. It is also involved in blood pressure changes from stress or physical activity. Although it is unclear if it plays a role in initiation of essential hypertension drugs that block the sympathetic nervous system do in fact lower the blood
In 2000 it was estimated that about 25 percent of people worldwide had hypertension and this number …show more content…
People with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of greater than 90 mmHg have isolated diastolic hypertension which is more common in young people. While and SBP greater than 140 mmHg and a DBP less than 90mmHg is called isolated systolic hypertension and is more common in older people (Williams, 2015).
The pathogenesis of essential hypertension is a complex interplay arising from the combined action of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors (Bolivar, 2013). Since blood pressure homeostasis is accomplished by multifactorial mechanisms if there is a change in one of these mechanisms another attempts to correct this change in order to maintain a normal blood pressure. When this system fails and blood pressure can no longer be normalized by this method then essential hypertension results.
A balance between the cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance is essential in maintaining a normal blood pressure. In essential hypertension many people have a normal cardiac output but their peripheral resistance is elevated. Peripheral resistance occurs when the smooth muscle cells of the small arterioles contract which occurs due to an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. If this problem is not is not addressed then it can lead to thickening of the arteriolar vessel walls causing an irreversible rise in the peripheral …show more content…
They do play an important role in other systems that control blood pressure and also assist in regulating blood flow.
Vascular endothelial cells assist with cardiovascular regulation by producing a number of vasoactive agents. Endothelial dysfunction and a decreases in nitric oxide production are found in hypertension but are more than likely a consequence rather than a cause. Although antihypertensive therapy can restore production of nitric oxide it cannot restore all endothelial function.
The sympathetic nervous system is involved in the regulation of blood pressure since it causes arteriolar constriction and arteriolar dilatation. It is also involved in blood pressure changes from stress or physical activity. Although it is unclear if it plays a role in initiation of essential hypertension drugs that block the sympathetic nervous system do in fact lower the blood