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Diseases we treat "HIGH BLOOD PRESSUREE" |
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High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure or tension in the arteries. An elevation of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing cardiac disease, renal disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and brain damage. These complications of hypertension are often referred to as end-organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of chronic (long duration) high blood pressure.
Primary hypertension
Patients in whom no specific cause for hypertension is detected are labeled as primary hypertension. |
The vast majority of cases of primary hypertension are due to increased stiffness (resistance) of the peripheral arteries. Increased peripheral artery resistance is associated with:
Heredity : Genetic factors are considered to very important in the development of hypertension. Hypertension often runs in families.
Environmental factors : Like increased salt intake, obesity, lack of exercise, etc. are also considered responsible.
Secondary hypertension
Cases of hypertension where some specific cause can be found are termed as secondary hypertension. Though accounting for only 5% of cases of hypertension, these are important because correction of the cause can often lead to cure of hypertension. Following are some of the most common causes of secondary hypertension:
Kidney disease: In chronic kidney disease, excessive fluid accumulation in the body elevates blood pressure.
Narrowing (stenosis) of the artery to the kidney is an uncommon condition that typically causes sudden, severe hypertension. The majority (66%) of kidney artery narrowing is caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), usually in older men. The remaining 33% is caused by the thickening (fibroplasia) of the muscular wall of the arteries to the kidneys, usually in younger women. Reduction of blood supply to the kidneys causes production of the hormone renin, which acts to constrict the arteries, thereby elevating blood pressure.
Oral contraceptive pills: The pills containing the hormone Estrogen may lead to hypertension and some experts believe that it may be the most common cause of secondary hypertension.
Other causes : These include tumors of the pituitary or the adrenal glands.
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