Hypertension, referred to as high blood pressure or HTN, is a health condition in which the blood pressure is elevates chronically. Before, it was referred to as arterial hypertension, but in current usage, the word “hypertension” without a qualifier normally refers to arterial hypertension. There are two types of hypertension: essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential hypertension is when there is no specific cause for the increased blood pressure and the condition cannot be explained. Ninety five percent of hypertension cases are classified as essential (Makoff, 2006).
Secondary hypertension is when the high blood pressure is a result of another health problem such as kidney disease or certain tumors. Five percent of hypertension cases are classified as secondary (Makoff, 2006). Essential hypertension is caused by many health factors working together to increase blood pressure. The factors that influence essential hypertension are age, stress, ethnicity, gender, diurnal variations, medications, susceptibility, obesity, salt intake, genetics, and kidney failure (Perry and Potter, 2006, p.599).
Thirty percent of all essential hypertension cases are caused by genetic factors (Makoff, 2006). Essential and secondary hypertensions are classified by the severity of the high blood pressure. The degrees of severity are “Class I” being mild, “Class II” being moderate, and “Class III” being severe. A client with hypertension in the mild category, the lowest level, is at least two times more likely at risk for cardiovascular disease than a person with normal blood pressure (Perry and Potter, 2006, p. 600).
The blood pressure of a person whom has severe hypertension, also known as accelerated and malignant hypertension, had their blood pressure rise to a severely elevated level in a short period of time (Perry and Potter, 2006, p. 600). The normal reading of blood pressure is 120 over 80 mm Hg. Any measurement that is more than ten above the diastolic and systolic readings is considered to be hypertensive (Makoff, 2006). Those whom have essential hypertension have an increased stiffness in their arteries and experience a lack of elasticity in the arteries as well (Makoff, 2006).
Those whom have secondary hypertension experience a narrowing of the arteries that led to the kidneys (Makoff, 2006). Hypertension is considered to be present when a person’s systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater. Recently, as of 2003, the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has defined blood pressure 120/80 mmHg to 139/89 mmHg as pre-hypertension.
Pre-hypertension is not a disease category; rather, it is a designation chosen to identify individuals at high risk of developing hypertension. (Wikipedia, 2008) I. Background Essential hypertension is caused by many health factors working together to increase blood pressure. The factors that influence essential hypertension are age, stress, ethnicity, gender, diurnal variations, medications, susceptibility, obesity, salt intake, genetics, and kidney failure (Perry and Potter, 2006, p.599).
Thirty percent of all essential hypertension cases are caused by genetic factors (Makoff, 2006). Hypertension is most related to dietary factors, the diet. Dietary factors have been shown to correlate with blood pressure, including sodium to potassium ratio, percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, and magnesium content, and levels of carbohydrates, total fats and cholesterol. Obesity is a chief factor for predisposition to hypertension.
Population as well as clinical studies has repeatedly demonstrated that obesity is a major factor in hypertension. Obesity is often caused by the over consumption of saturated fats. Lifestyle factors such as coffee consumption, alcohol intake, lack of exercise and smoking are all things that are very important causes of elevated blood pressure (Whitney & Sizer, 2003). The long-term effects of caffeine consumption on blood pressure have not yet been clearly determined.
Alcohol produces acute hypertension in some patients by the increased adrenaline secretion. Chronic alcohol consumption is one of the strongest predictors of blood pressure. Cigarette smoking is a factor contributing to hypertension. Tobacco, which is smokeless, is also linked to hypertension via its nicotine and sodium content. In many instances, stress is a causative factor of high blood pressure. Relaxation techniques have some value in lowering blood pressure. Exercise reduces both blood pressure and stress.