Hypertension

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high.
• Over time, this increased pressure can damage blood vessels and lead to various complications, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
• Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (top number) over diastolic pressure (bottom number).

Types of Hypertension

1. Primary (Essential) Hypertension

• Most common form, affecting about 90-95
• Usually has no identifiable cause; involves genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

2. Secondary Hypertension

• Accounts for about 5-10
• Caused by an underlying medical condition or medication.
• Common causes include kidney disease, hormonal disorders, and certain medications.

Etiology of Hypertension

• Genetic Factors: Family history increases risk.
• Age: Risk increases with age, especially after 65.
• Ethnicity: Higher prevalence in some ethnic groups, such as African Americans.
• Obesity: Excess body weight elevates risk.
• Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking.
• Stress: Chronic stress negatively impacts blood pressure.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension

• Often called the “silent killer,” hypertension typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until significant damage occurs.
• Some individuals may experience:
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Nosebleeds
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• These symptoms usually appear when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels.

Pathogenesis of hypertension

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, develops due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Key mechanisms include:

1. Increased Peripheral Resistance: Narrowing of the blood vessels increases resistance, forcing the heart to pump harder.
2. Increased Cardiac Output: Higher blood volume or stronger heart contractions elevate blood pressure.
3. Renal Factors: Impaired kidney function can lead to fluid retention and increased blood volume.
4. Neurohormonal Activation: Hormones like angiotensin II and aldosterone increase blood pressure by constricting blood vessels and retaining sodium.

These factors interplay, leading to sustained high blood pressure.

Management and Treatment

• The management of hypertension typically involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medications.

Lifestyle changes that can help lower blood pressure include:

1. Eating a healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
2. Reducing sodium intake.
3. Engaging in regular physical activity.
4. Maintaining a healthy body weight.
5. Limiting alcohol consumption.
6. Quitting smoking.
7. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation.

Signs and Symptoms

• Often called the “silent killer,” It typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until significant damage occurs. Some individuals may experience:
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Nosebleeds
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• These symptoms usually appear when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels.

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!