We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Hypertension?

By Rolando Braza
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,386
Share

There are two major types of hypertension: essential and secondary. Essential hypertension, also known as idiopathic or primary hypertension, is high blood pressure that has no direct cause. Secondary hypertension is elevated blood pressure that is caused by another illness. Other, less common, types of hypertension include malignant hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, and pre-eclampsia.

One of the most common types of hypertension is essential hypertension. Although it has no direct cause, a number of different factors are believed to contribute to this type of high blood pressure, including a sensitivity to salt, obesity, and high levels of alcohol consumption. A deficiency in potassium or vitamin D can also increase a person's risk of developing this condition, as can genetic factors.

Secondary hypertension is caused by a direct cause. Hyperthyroidism, renal artery stenosis, and Cushing's syndrome are some of the illnesses that can cause high blood pressure. In many cases, treating the underlying disease can help relieve the hypertension, as can lifestyle changes, including weight loss and dietary changes.

Both hyperthyroidism and Cushing's syndrome are hormonal disorders. Hyperthyroidism occurs when excessive thyroid hormone is generated by the thyroid gland. Cushing's syndrome refers to a hormonal disorder that is caused by the exposure of the body tissues to high volume of cortisol for a long period of time. Both conditions can be treated using medications or surgery.

Renal artery stenosis is the thinning of the arterys that provides blood to the kidneys. More of a hormone called renin, which regulates blood pressure, is consequently produced. This triggers a series of chemical reactions that leads to a hypertensive condition known as renal vascular hypertension (RVH).

Malignant hypertension is a life-threatening condition where there is a sudden, sharp increase in a person's blood pressure. The blood pressure can be so high that a person is put in danger of having a heart attack, stroke, or damage to his or her kidneys. Symptoms of malignant hypertension include severe headache, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Isolated hypertension is a type of hypertension common among older people. Plaque accumulates and hardens in the arteries through time, causing arteriosclerosis. This medical condition can cause the systolic blood pressure, the pressure that the blood exerts on the arterial walls when the heart contracts, to rise. A person with a systolic blood pressure of 140 or above and a normal diastolic of 89 or lower is considered to have isolated systolic hypertension.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication in which there is an abrupt rise in a pregnant woman's blood pressure. It usually affects women who are pregnant for the first time or who were already hypertensive before becoming pregnant. It can progress to eclampsia when not given immediate attention and correct treatment. Eclampsia can cause seizures and coma, and can be fatal to both the mother and the baby.

Hypertension is often considered a "silent killer." In some types of hypertension, there are few or no symptoms, and the condition can occur quite suddenly in some cases. A person may be able to avoid many types of hypertension by getting regular medical check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-hypertension.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.