Hypertension Types

Essential Hypertension

Essential Hypertension (also known as primary hypertension) accounts for 95% of the cases of high blood pressure. This condition has no identifiable medical cause - different factors increase blood pressure in different people. For that reason, treatments for lowering blood pressure vary from one person to the other.

Elevated blood pressure usually begins to develop between age 30 and 50, but may appear later as well.

Genetic factors are thought to play a prominent role in the development of essential hypertension - it is estimated that about 30% of the high blood pressure cases may be attributed to genetic factors.

People who have a hypertensive parent are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure.

The Metabolic Syndrome (Insulin Resistance Syndrome)

Due to genetic factors and other causes, some people have a diminished ability to respond to insulin (the hormone that enables glucose to enter the body’s cells). This resistance leads to an accumulation of glucose in the body and to Type-2 Diabetes.

Symptoms of Metabolic syndrome include:

• Obesity
• High LDL cholesterol
• High blood pressure

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension (which accounts for 5% of the cases of hypertension), is diagnosed when high blood pressure is caused by a specific disease in one of the body’s organs or systems. Thus, secondary hypertension may be cured if its cause is dealt with.

Renal Hypertension

When the kidneys are unable to dispose of salt and other wastes in a normal way, the blood vessels may be scarred or tightened, leading to high blood pressure.

Another important cause of renal hypertension is narrowing (stenosis) of the renal artery, which supplies blood to the kidneys.

Damage to the kidneys also leads to the release of hormones that contribute to increased blood pressure.

Adrenal Gland Tumors (Pheochromocytoma)

A rare type of tumor of the adrenal glands (pheochromocytoma) is a less common, secondary cause of hypertension. This tumor causes production of excessive amounts of adrenal hormones, which cause high blood pressure.

Coarctation of the Aorta

Coarctation of the aorta is a rare hereditary disorder, in which a segment of the aorta - the main large artery leading from the heart - is narrowed. The condition is usually detected and treated during early childhood. When unnoticed, it is one of the most common causes of hypertension in children.

Hypertension During Pregnancy

High blood pressure occurs in 12-22 percent of pregnancies. When hypertension appears after the twentieth week of pregnancy, it is defined as preeclampsia. In this situation, the arteries throughout the mother’s body and placenta are tightened, and unpredictable blood clotting may result. If untreated, this condition may cause serious complications for mother and baby.

Isolated Systolic Hypertension

In most cases, systolic and diastolic blood pressure are related, meaning both are normal, or both are too high. However, this is not always the case.

As people age, their blood vessels tend to lose elasticity, leading to hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis). This may elevate systolic blood pressure, even while diastolic pressure stays normal or even low.

Isolated Systolic Hypertension occurs when systolic pressure is above 140 mmHg, while diastolic pressure remains below 90. This may lead to problems such as stroke and heart disease, and should be treated in the same way as regular high blood pressure.

High systolic blood pressure is as dangerous as high diastolic blood pressure.

White Coat Hypertension

High blood pressure reading in the doctor's office can sometimes be misleading. Some people experience anxiety during the examination, and the high results can be a temporary symptom of their stress.

This syndrome, called white coat hypertension, should be dealt with cautiously. Though it may be absolutely harmless, one should consider the possibility that other stressful situations may cause the same reaction.

If you think you suffer from white coat hypertension, monitor your blood pressure at home, at different moments of your daily routine, in order to estimate the frequency and consistency of raised blood pressure readings.

Labile Hypertension

An abrupt and repeated fluctuation of the blood pressure. This condition usually affects people with high emotional stress, and can be treated by medication or other methods for lowering anxiety.

Malignant Hypertension

Malignant hypertension raises blood pressure to dangerous levels. This is the most threatening form of hypertension, and is extremely rare. Its causes are usually unknown, but may sometimes be related to drug abuse.

An episode of malignant hypertension calls for immediate hospitalization.