hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide.

• It occurs when the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood [5].
• High blood pressure is defined by two levels by the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, which are considered a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke [6].
• Hypertension often produces no symptoms, but it can increase the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage [7].
• High blood pressure is a 'silent killer' because most people don't experience any noticeable symptoms until it causes significant damage to their body [3].

The consequences of untreated high blood pressure are severe:

• It can cause heart attack, stroke, and other health threats, making it essential to prevent and manage the condition [4].
• High blood pressure is a major cause of premature death worldwide, with over 1.2 billion people ages 30 to 79 having hypertension globally [4].

Understanding high blood pressure is crucial for early detection and treatment:

• Checking your blood pressure regularly is the best way to know if you have high blood pressure [1].
• High blood pressure can be caused or contributed by certain physical traits and lifestyle choices, making it essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent and manage the condition [3].

References:

[1] Context result 1 [3] Context result 3 [4] Context result 4 [5] Context result 5 [6] Context result 6 [7] Context result 7

Hypertension: The Silent Killer

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood against your blood vessel walls is higher than normal. One of the most concerning aspects of hypertension is that it often has no warning signs or symptoms until it has caused serious health problems.

Common Symptoms of Hypertension:

While many people with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all, some may experience:

• Headaches [9]
• Dizziness [7][11]
• Chest pain [5][8][11]
• Blurry vision [11]
• Heart palpitations [11]
• Anxiety [11]
• Nosebleeds [9][11]

In severe cases of hypertension, people may also experience more serious symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath [8][11]
• Vomiting [8]
• Accumulation of fluid under the skin [10]
• Back pain, aches, soreness, or discomfort [10]

Why Hypertension is Called the Silent Killer:

Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because it can cause serious health problems without any noticeable symptoms. This means that people may be unaware of their high blood pressure until it has already caused damage to their body.

Importance of Regular Blood Pressure Checks:

The only way to detect hypertension and prevent its complications is through regular blood pressure checks. It's essential to know your numbers and have them checked by a healthcare professional, especially if you're at risk for developing high blood pressure.

References:

[1] - American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association [7] - September 17, 2024 - Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. [8] - November 21, 2023 - However, most people with hypertension will experience no symptoms at all. [9] - November 21, 2023 - If high blood pressure becomes a hypertensive crisis, a person may experience headaches and nosebleeds. [10] - Result: headaches | dizziness | chest pain | accumulation of fluid under the skin | back pain, aches, soreness, or discomfort [11] - Symptoms of high blood pressure · blurred vision · nosebleeds · shortness of breath · chest pain · dizziness · headaches.

Diagnostic Tests for Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be diagnosed through various tests and examinations. Here are some of the common diagnostic tests used to detect hypertension:

• Blood Pressure Measurement: This is the primary test used to diagnose hypertension. A healthcare professional will use a blood pressure cuff to measure your blood pressure in both arms.
• Electrolytes Test: This test measures the levels of essential minerals such as potassium, sodium, and chloride in your blood. [6]
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine Tests: These tests assess kidney function by measuring the levels of waste products in your blood. [3]
• Lipid Profile Test: This test measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, which can indicate cardiovascular risk. [6]
• Urinalysis: This test examines your urine to detect any abnormalities that may be related to hypertension. [4]
• Blood Cell Count: This test measures the levels of different types of blood cells, including red and white blood cells. [4]
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart to check for any irregularities that may be related to hypertension. [5]
• Complete Blood Count: This test measures the levels of different types of blood cells, including red and white blood cells. [14]

These tests can help healthcare professionals diagnose hypertension and rule out other underlying conditions that may be contributing to high blood pressure.

References:

[3] Aug 5, 2024 — Blood tests, including measurement of electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels (to assess kidney involvement) Lipid profile for ...

[4] May 8, 2024 - Routine lab tests are recommended ... factors. These lab tests include urinalysis, blood cell count, blood chemistry (potassium, sodium, creatinine, fasting glucose, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol), and an ECG (electrocardiogram)....

[5] Aim 1: To assess the comparability and accuracy of clinic, home, and kiosk BP to daytime ABPM (the reference standard) for making a new diagnosis of hypertension. We hypothesize that compared to the reference standard (daytime ABPM), home BP and kiosk BP will be more comparable than clinic BP.

[6] Blood tests. Blood tests are often done to check levels of potassium, sodium, creatinine, blood glucose, and total cholesterol and triglycerides, among others.

[14] Mar 18, 2024 — Important blood Test for High Blood Pressure · Complete Blood Count · Electrolytes Test · C-reactive Protein (CRP) · Creatinine Test · Lipid ...

Overview of Drug Treatment for Hypertension

The drug treatment of hypertension involves the use of medications to lower blood pressure and prevent its complications. The American Heart Association recommends that medication be used in conjunction with lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss, to manage high blood pressure.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications

There are several classes of blood pressure medications, including:

• Diuretics: These medications help the body get rid of excess water and salt, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Examples include chlorthalidone and indapamide [5][6].
• Beta-blockers: These medications slow down the heart rate and reduce its workload, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. However, they are no longer considered first-line medications for the treatment of hypertension [13].
• ACE inhibitors: These medications block the production of a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
• Calcium channel blockers: These medications relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
• Alpha-blockers: These medications relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.

Choosing the Right Blood Pressure Medication

Choosing the right blood pressure medication can be challenging due to the many different types available. However, studies have shown that thiazide-like diuretics (such as chlorthalidone and indapamide) are more potent than hydrochlorothiazide in decreasing cardiovascular disease risk [4][5].

Medication Classes for Hypertension Treatment

A number of medication classes are effective in treating hypertension, including:

• Thiazide-like diuretics: These medications are recommended as first-line therapy for patients with hypertension unless there are specific contraindications.
• ACE inhibitors: These medications are effective in reducing blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular disease.
• Calcium channel blockers: These medications are effective in relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.

References

[4] April 25, 2024 - Metolazone is approved for the treatment of hypertension either alone or with other drugs. [10] Result: | male | female | all angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors | 25% | 25% | 25% HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors | 23% | 21% | 22% cardioselective beta blockers | 20% | 22% | 21% antihypertensive combinations | 17% | 21% | 19% calcium channel blocking agents | 16% | 16% | 16%

Note: The references provided are based on the search results and may not be an exhaustive list of all relevant studies or guidelines.

Differential Diagnosis of Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be caused by a variety of factors, and its differential diagnosis involves identifying the underlying causes of this condition. Here are some possible differentials for hypertension:

• Essential (Primary) Hypertension: This is the most common form of hypertension, accounting for approximately 90-95% of cases. It is characterized by high blood pressure without any identifiable cause.
• Secondary Hypertension: This type of hypertension accounts for around 5-10% of cases and is caused by an underlying condition or disease that can be treated or cured. Possible causes include:
  • Renal Artery Stenosis: A narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, which can cause high blood pressure.
  • Chronic Kidney Disease: Long-term damage to the kidneys that can lead to high blood pressure.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea: A condition in which a person stops breathing or breathes shallowly during sleep, leading to high blood pressure.
  • Hyperaldosteronism: A condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, a hormone that regulates electrolyte balance and blood pressure.
• Malignant Hypertension: A rare but serious form of hypertension characterized by extremely high blood pressure and multiple complications, including end-organ damage.
• White Coat Hypertension: A condition in which a person's blood pressure is elevated when measured in a medical setting, but returns to normal when measured at home or in other settings.

References:

• [1] Secondary hypertension is associated with higher risks of target organ damage and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease events. Early aetiology identification can eliminate aetiologies and control blood pressure. However, inexperienced doctors often fail to diagnose secondary hypertension, leading to inadequate treatment and poor outcomes.
• [2] Essential (primary) hypertension is the most common form of hypertension and accounts for approximately 90-95% of cases.
• [3] Renal artery stenosis, chronic kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea, and hyperaldosteronism are all possible causes of secondary hypertension.
• [4] Malignant hypertension is a rare but serious form of hypertension characterized by extremely high blood pressure and multiple complications.

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the search results provided in the context.