2.  Chronic (persistent or lasting) medical condition where blood pressure is elevated.  Also referred to as High Blood Pressure (HBP)  The term hypertension usually refers directly to systemic, arterial hypertension.  Two different types: Essential or Secondary hypertension.

3.  Makes up about 95% of all hypertension cases.  Means that no medical cause can be found to account for heightened blood pressure. (Over 140 Systolic Pressure and over 90 Diastolic)  Theories as to what can lead to Essential Hypertension…

4.  Lifestyle, Stress, Obesity, Lack of Potassium, Excessive Salt, Alcohol, Vitamin D, Aging, Inherited Genetic Traits, Elevations of Hormones secreted by the Kidneys, and recent studies have found that a low birth rate may be a factor for adult hypertension.

5.  Hypertension that has a definite cause.  Commonly results from L kidney disease or tumors.  Also commonly due to Cushing’s Syndrome. A condition where both adrenal glands overproduce cortisol, which is aka “the stress hormone” and responds to stress and anxiety.  A third possible cause is an abnormality in the coarctation of the aorta. (Where the aorta narrows where the ligamentum arteriousm inserts)

6.  When your BP is between 120-139 over 80-89.  People with pre-hypertension are more likely to develope hypertension.

7.  Chest Pain, Confusion, Hearing “buzzing” noises, Irregular heartbeat, Vision blurriness, nosebleeds.  In general, most of the time, there are no symptoms. If you experience any of the symptoms, you should seek a M.D. right away, because these are signs of malignant hypertension.

8.  Sudden development of extremely high blood pressure, where your diastolic reading is over 130.  Effects 1% of people with HBP. More common in young adults and African American males. You are at increased risk if you’ve had past kidney troubles.  Patients will need to stay under hospital monitoring and will receive medicines through a vein to reduce the BP.

9.  Goal: Reduce BP so the patient is at less risk of major complications.  Alpha and Beta Blockers, diuretics, and vasodilators.  Preventative measures are most important.  (Blockers, relax small muscles to allow blood to flow. Diuretics are drugs that increase the level of urination. Vasodilators widen blood vessels.)