Hypertension essential, definition

Carretero OA, Oparil S (2000) Essential hypertension. Part I Definition and etiology. Circulation 101 329—335... 

It is estimated that approximately 90% of the patients with blood pressure elevation are affected by essential hypertension, which is by definition, hypertension of unknown etiology. Although the mechanisms responsible for essential hypertension remain obscure, extensive hemodynamic studies have now revealed the precise derangements of the systemic hemodynamics of these patients(8). 

Considerable progress has been made in the development of agents capable of producing a specific and effective blockade of responses to sympatho-adrenal activity. Three groups of compounds show particular promise—the jd-haloalkylamines, the dihydro ergot alkaloids, and the imidazolines. However, lack of information regarding the role of sympatho-adrenal factors in the etiology of essential hypertension prevents a definitive evaluation of their potential usefulness in the therapy of this condition. 

At the present time, pheochromocytoma and intracranial lesions are the only causes of human hypertension which are definitely known to involve overactivity of the sympatho-adrenal system. However, presumptive evidence is accumulating to indicate that neurogenic factors may be involved in early essential hypertension, and it is possible that adequate adrenergic blockade early in the course of such hypertension may be effective in aborting its development. Only additional evidence regarding the etiology of essential... 

While the catecholamines definitely play a part in the pathophysiology of the hypertension caused by the phaeochromocytoma, the question as to whether amines indigenous to be body are of importance in the forms of hypertension known as essential , has not yet been solved. As noradrenaline is the main transmitter of sympathetic nerve impulses which cause vasoconstriction, the question as to the pathogenetic role of noradrenaline in essential hypertension coincides with that of general importance of neural... 

A specific cause of hypertension can be established in only 10-15% of patients. Patients in whom no specific cause of hypertension can be found are said to have essential or primary hypertension. Patients with a specific etiology are said to have secondary hypertension. It is important to consider specific causes in each case, however, because some of them are amenable to definitive surgical treatment renal artery constriction, coarctation of the aorta, pheochromocytoma, Cushing s disease, and primary aldosteronism. 

That s why it is absolutely essential that men and women with diabetes learn and practice their ABCs. A stands for hemoglobin AlC, typically stated simply as AlC. This is a measurement of average glucose, blood sugar, levels over a two- to three-month period. Have that test done at least twice a year you ll want the results to be less than 7 percent. B represents blood pressure. We ll discuss that in detail in this chapter your target should be less than 130/80 mm Hg, the definition of hypertension for diabetic individuals, as compared with 140/80 for people without the disease. Of course, the lower the better. And C stands for cholesterol, especially the bad LDL cholesterol. Yours should be less than 100 mg/dl—as low as possible. You ll want to pay particular attention to chapter 11. 

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