Hypertension : Causes, Types, Treatment and Symptoms

Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical illness in which the force of blood on artery walls is consistently high. It is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer” since it usually appears with no visible symptoms at first. Because most people are symptom-free, regular blood pressure monitoring is critical for diagnosis and therapy, as untreated hypertension can result in serious and life-threatening problems.

Most Common Hypertension Symptoms:

• Headache
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Blurred or disturbed vision
• If severe loss of vision or severe eye symptoms are observed.
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nosebleed
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures

Common, Uncommon or Underlying Causes of Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has two main categories of causes: primary (essential) hypertension, which is the most common type, accounting for over 90% of cases. It develops gradually over time, usually without a single identifiable cause, and secondary hypertension that has a specific underlying cause, often sudden and more severe.

• Genetic predisposition
• Family history of hypertension
• Arteries tend to stiffen due to old age
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, salt-rich foods, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and stress
• Insufficient intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium
• Conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol
• Certain kidney diseases
• Endocrine disorders like adrenal gland tumors and thyroid disorders
• Obstructive sleep apnea causes disrupted oxygen flow
• Congenital heart defects affecting blood vessels
• Use of certain medications
• Pregnancy-related hypertension

When to Seek a Specialist for Your Hypertension?

Consult a cardiologist for hypertension when blood pressure control becomes difficult or when red-flag symptoms and associated diseases appear, as they can provide a thorough evaluation and individualized treatment. Early specialist intervention is critical for assessing cardiovascular risk, adjusting medications, and preventing serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, and organ damage, as well as emergencies, such as a hypertensive crisis, which require immediate medical attention.

Visit your specialist if these Hypertension symptoms are present:

• When lifestyle changes and medication fail to control blood pressure.
• Immediate therapy may be required for stage 2 hypertension or a hypertensive crisis.
• If you are showing any signs of hypertension issues, like dizziness, palpitations, leg swelling, or fainting.
• If you have other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, a family history of heart disease, or previous heart attacks.
• Secondary hypertension is a result of an underlying kidney disease or hormonal imbalances.

Don’t wait for signs to grow severe. Consult our General Physicians today

Diagnostic Approach for Hypertension

The diagnostic approach for hypertension includes multiple steps to accurately identify high blood pressure, assess its possible effects on organs, and determine overall cardiovascular risk in developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Blood Pressure Measurement and Diagnosis Criteria

• Elevated blood pressure readings on at least two separate occasions.
• If blood pressure is borderline or fluctuates, ambulatory or home monitoring is recommended to distinguish between sustained, white-coat, or masked hypertension.

Additional Diagnostic Steps

• Measure blood pressure in both arms initially and consider the arm with the higher reading.
• Repeated measurements during the same visit or subsequent visits.
• Check organ damage by hypertension, including ECG (heart), urine analysis (proteinuria), serum creatinine (kidneys), and fundoscopy (eye).
• Evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and related conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, smoking, and family history.

Screening for Secondary Hypertension

• Evaluate underlying causes in cases of resistant hypertension or young patients.

Types of Hypertension

Some common types of Hypertension include:

• Primary (essential) Hypertension
• Secondary Hypertension
• Resistant Hypertension
• Isolated Systolic Hypertension
• Malignant Hypertension
• White Coat Hypertension
• Masked Hypertension

Based on the severity of blood pressure elevation:

• Normal hypertension: If systolic pressure is less than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure is less than 80 mmHg.
• Elevated hypertension: If systolic pressure is between 120-129 mmHg and diastolic pressure is less than 80 mmHg. Early intervention is advised if the risk factors are present.
• Stage 1 hypertension: If systolic pressure is between 130-139 mmHg and diastolic pressure is between 80-89 mmHg. It can be managed with lifestyle changes and potential adjustments to medication.
• Stage 2 hypertension: If systolic pressure is more than or equal to 140 mmHg and diastolic pressure is more than or equal to 90 mmHg. Lifestyle and medication changes are highly recommended. 
• Hypertensive crises: If systolic pressure is greater than 180 mmHg and diastolic pressure is more than 120 mmHg. It indicates a medical emergency with risk of organ damage.

How to Treat Hypertension Symptoms?

Treating hypertension is a combination of lifestyle changes and medical prescriptions customized for the severity and risk factors, intending to lower blood pressure to acceptable levels while lowering overall cardiovascular health risks.

For underlying causes, treatments & rehabilitative strategies include:

• Healthy Diet: Follow a low-salt diet, such as the DASH diet, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Regular Exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (walking, swimming, or cycling).
• Weight Management: Maintain or lose excess weight, as even small changes can significantly lower BP.
• Limit alcohol consumption (1 drink/day for women & 2 for men), and quit smoking completely.
• Get enough sleep: Get 8-9 hours of quality sleep and find healthy ways to manage stress.
• Warm-up and Cool Down: right before and after exercises to avoid sharp changes in blood pressure.
• Stress Management: Practicing mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or therapy to reduce stress-induced BP elevations.

Necessary medications: when lifestyle changes fail, common classes of prescriptions may include diuretics, calcium channel blockers, or beta blockers.

What if Hypertension is Left Untreated?

If hypertension is left untreated, it can lead to many serious and even life-threatening problems affecting your entire physiological systems, making early detection and appropriate management crucial to avoiding disability and early death.

Some possible complications of an untreated Hypertension include:

• Heart attack: Hypertension damages the arteries, causing plaque buildup and artery narrowing
• Heart failure
• Angina and heart disease
• Arrhythmias
• Stroke
• Dementia and cognitive decline
• Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure
• Hypertensive retinopathy
• Aneurysm formation
• Possible peripheral artery disease

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