Hypertension is an elevated blood pressure

This conditon is wide spread and can be a potentially deadly disease.

Hypertension (HTN) can be divided into two categories

2 main categories of Hypertension:

1.)    Primary Hypertension

2.)   Secondary Hypertension

Primary

     -    Occurs in 90-95% of those individuals with hypertension

     -    No specific causes is identifiable

Secondary

       -   Occurs in 5% of those individuals with hypertension

       -   Several specific causes which therefore, elevated blood pressure becomes a symptom:

Causes of Secondary Hypertension:

1.)   Endocrine diseases
   -      Cushing’s Syndrome
    -     Pheochromocytoma
    -     Hyperaldosteronism   (Conn’s syndrome)
    -     Hyperthyroidism
    -     Hypothyroidism
    -     Acromegaly
    -     Hyperparathyroidism
    -     Others

2.)   Kidney diseases
     -    Chronic renal failure
     -    Kidney disease

3.)   Cancers

4.)    Medication

      -     Alcohol
       -    Stimulants
       -    Hormonal contraception
       -    Nasal decongestants
       -    others

5.)     Pregnancy

6.)     Obstructive Sleep Apnea

7.)     Neurological disorders

8.)      others

Symptoms
•      Many have no symptoms at all
•      Headache
•      Dizziness
•      Nausea
•      Heart racing
•      Vision changes

*** -   if hypertension is a secondary cause from another disease then symptoms of that disease are often present as well

Differences or characteristics of Secondary Hypertension

   -    When onset is younger than age 20
   -    When onset is over age 50
   -    Not treatable with medications
   -    Lack of family history of hypertension
   -    Other physical exam findings

Diagnosis

    -   Lab tests
    -   Urinalysis
    -   EKG
    -   others

Treatment:

   -    Antihypertensive Medications
   -    Control or resolution of underlying cause
   -    Protection of target organ