Hypertension

A chronic cardiovascular disorder characterized by persistently elevated arterial blood pressure (adult systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg), increasing the risk of target-organ damage and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Causes

• Primary (essential) causes - approximately 95% of cases

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Excessive sodium intake

  • Obesity

  • Physical inactivity

  • Tobacco use

  • Excessive alcohol consumption

  • Increasing age

  • Unhealthy dietary patterns

  • Chronic stress

• Kidney failure

• Renovascular hypertension

  • Renal artery stenosis

  • Fibromuscular dysplasia

• Hyperthyroidism

• Hypothyroidism

• Adrenal gland disorders

  • Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome)

  • Pheochromocytoma

  • Adrenal tumors

• Cushing syndrome

• Pregnancy-related hypertension

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Medications causing fluid retention or sympathetic activation

  • NSAIDs

  • Corticosteroids

  • Oral contraceptives

  • Certain antidepressants

• Sympathomimetic substances

  • Cocaine

  • Methamphetamine

• Autonomic nervous system disorders: High sympathetic activity

• Aortic coarctation