HYPERTENSION - A SILENT KILLER .

Hypertension a common disease that result from the consistent constant elevation of the systolic or diastolic pressure above 140/90 mmhg , the diagnosis of hypertension requires that elevated readings be present on atleast three occassions during several weeks .Hypertension causes no symptoms to motivate a person to seek treatment . When symptoms do occur , they signify either secondary causes of hypertension or effects of sustained elevation of Bp on target organs . When you consider the types of hypertension , it is of two types - primary hypertension and secondary hypertension .

PRIMARY HYPERTENSION :
It accounts for more than 90% of all cases and has no known case , although it is theorised that genetic factor , hormonal changes , and alterations in sympathetic tone all play a role in its development .

SECONDARY HYPERTENSION :
It develops as a consequence of particular underlying disease or condition . Now let us see the major risk factors of hypertension according to its types ,

Primary hypertension - The identified risk factors in primary hypertension are as follows :
1 , age - onset between 30 - 50 years of age , increases over 65 years of age .
2 , sex - males in young adulthood and early middle age , females after the age of 55 years .
3 , race - African-Americans as in caucasians .
4, family history .
5 , obesity .
6 , smoking .
7 , high salt diet .
8 , elevated serum lipids .
9 , alcohol .
10,sedentary life style .
11 , diabetes mellitus .
12 , socio-economic status .
13 ,emotional stress .

Secondary hypertension - Major risk factors of secondary hypertension include the following ,
1 , Coarctation or congenital narrowing of the aorta .
2 , Renal disease such as renal artery stenosis parenchymal disease and reno vascular disease . 3 , Endocrine disorders such as pheochromocytoma , cushing syndrome , hyper and primary aldosteronism .
4 , Neurologic disorders such as brain tumours , quadriplegia and head injury .
5 , Sleep apnoea .
6 , Medications , oestrogen replacement theraphy , oral contraceptive pills , and non - steroidal anti - inflammatory drugs .
7 , Pregnancy - induced hypertension . These are the major risk factors of hypertension which should be known to all , to prevent the hypertension .