Definition
Hypertension is a systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >90 mmHg.
Etiology- Primary (essential) hypertension
- Most cases
- No specific cause
- Tends to develop over many years
- Secondary hypertension
- Caused by an underlying condition (such as kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, thyroid disease)
- Tend to develop suddenly and causes higher blood pressure than primary hypertension
- Usually asymptomatic
- Some patients at severe or life-threatening stages of hypertension can experience non-specific symptoms:
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Epistaxis
- Two separate blood pressure readings taken at two separate visits
- 24 hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- Lifestyle changes (exercise and diet)
- Anti-hypertensive medication:
- Calcium Channel Blocker (CCBs): Amlodipine, Felodipine
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor: Lisinopril, Quinapril, Benazepril
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): Lostartan, Valsartan
- Thiazide diuretics: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), Chlorthalidone
- Loop diuretics: Furosemide
- Beta-blockers: Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Nebivolol
- Arterial vasodilator: Hydralazine
- Venodilators: Isosorbide Dinitrate, Mononitrate
- Aldosterone antagonists: Spironolactone, Eplerenone
