Based on the causes of high blood pressure, there are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary.

• Primary: Primary high blood pressure also known as essential hypertension is a very common and complex disorder. This type of high blood pressure has no underlying causative factor and it affects almost 95% of the hypertensive patients.
• Secondary: As opposed to primary hypertension, secondary hypertension has an identifiable underlying cause that leads to it

It is important to diagnose the type of hypertension to ensure that that proper treatment is administered; in this case the ailment is treated by treating the underlying causative factors.

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Even though primary hypertension by definition does not have an identifiable cause there are several factors that can increase the susceptibility to primary hypertension such as

• A sedentary lifestyle
• A body mass index of more than 25 (it has been observed that 85% of the patients who suffer from primary hypertension have a body mass index greater than 25)
• Sensitivity to salt (sodium)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Deficiency of Vitamin D
• It can also be attributed to aging
• Genetic factors and mutation
• An overactive sympathetic nervous system
• Low birth weight has also been pointed out as a possible factor

Causes of Secondary Hypertension:

The causes of secondary hypertension include:

• Kidney ailments: Several diseases of the kidney are known to cause secondary hypertension; the most common among them is polycystic kidney disease, a cystic genetic ailment of the kidneys. The disorder is characterized by the formation of cysts on both kidneys. The ailment can also damage other vital organs like the liver and pancreas. There have also been cases where the brain or the heart of the patient was affected by PKD. High blood pressure can also be caused due to renal artery related diseases. Apart from these two disorders; neuroendocrine tumors are also known to cause secondary high blood pressure
• Certain Drugs: Certain drugs like NSAID’s like ibuprofen and steroids can lead to hypertension. You may also experience secondary hypertension if you go off antihypertensive medication suddenly; this condition is known as Rebound Hypertension. This condition may also result in a hypertensive emergency because the blood pressure shoots up higher than the initial level once the medication is discontinued abruptly. However, this condition can be avoided by gradually going off hypertensive medication as you reduce the doses so that the body can get enough time to adjust to the reduced dosage.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy may also lead to high blood pressure in women of child bearing age.
• Inadequate sleep: Another common issue that leads to hypertension is sleep apnea. This condition can be treated through tonsillectomy, nasal continuous positive airway pressure or one of the several other treatment recourse.

Hypertensions Causes is a post from: Healthy Recipes

A. Primary hypertension which has no identifiable reason is more common with more than 90% of the hypertensive patients suffering from it.

Q. Which is more dangerous?

A. Both are equally dangerous however, secondary hypertension point to an underlying health concern which may often be the causative factor. Depending on the gravity of this condition secondary blood pressure may sometimes be more dangerous. For instance, a common cause of secondary blood pressure is a renal disorder known as polycystic kidney disease which may result in eventual renal failure.

Q. If I don’t suffer from primary hypertension does it mean I am safe?

A. If you lead a healthy and active life style there is no reason why you should develop hypertension. However, if you are a heavy smoker and drinker and enjoy junk food, you may have just been lucky to not have developed the disorder already. But there are always chances that you may run out of luck and before you know it, you will be diagnosed with hypertension. So its always best to take precautionary measures like opting for regular exercise routines and healthy well balanced meals.

Q. Do lifestyle factors have any bearing on secondary high blood pressure?

Yes, even though secondary blood pressure has an identifiable health condition that leads to it life style factors like obesity, sedentary life style, unhealthy eating habits, inadequate sleep, excessive smoking and drinking may worsen the condition.

Q Will my diet influence my primary blood pressure?

Yes, it will, your diet is one of the primary factors in blood pressure control. While a healthy diet low in sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol will help you in controlling your runaway blood pressure, not taking the necessary dietary precautions may lead to disastrous results. People with high blood pressure are extremely susceptible to cardiac ailments which can worsen if you have unhealthy dietary habits.

Q. What are the symptoms of primary hypertension?

A. Most people who suffer from primary hypertension do not experience symptoms and usually the disorder is diagnosed through routine medical exams.

However, if not controlled in time there may be a significant increase in blood pressure which may then cause symptoms like:

• Headaches particularly early in the morning; normally headaches related to high blood pressure originate behind the eyes.
• Vomiting and nausea
• Visual disturbances
• Chest pains
• Heart attack
• Renal Failure
• Stroke
• Peripheral arterial damage
• Abnormal heart beat
• Eye damage

Q. How is secondary hypertension treated?

A. Secondary hypertension is often treated with a combination of medication and surgical procedure. The treatment option will depend on the health condition that causes secondary hypertension.

Hypertensions FAQ (answers to questions connected to the chapter) is a post from: Healthy Recipes