Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. The two types of hypertension are simply referred to as primary and secondary. The main difference between the two is the cause. Basically, when the incidence of hypertension has no known medical cause it is diagnosed as primary hypertension as against secondary hypertension caused by another medical condition.
According to the American Heart Association, 5 to 10 percent of hypertension cases are secondary, meaning the patient has an underlying condition that led to high blood pressure. In this case, treatment of these underlying causes for secondary hypertension is the key to controlling high blood pressure. It is important to restore the normal level of blood pressure because just like how one condition can lead to hypertension, hypertension can lead to several complications as well such as stroke and kidney failure.
Here are common causes of secondary hypertension:
A kidney disorder that develops into kidney failure will lead to excessive amounts of sodium and water being retained in the body, which usually results in hypertension. When high blood pressure sets in, the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys narrow making it difficult for the blood to flow to these organs. This condition will result to one type of hypertension known as renovascular hypertension. In most cases, this can be treated with surgery.
Adrenal tumors that are causes of secondary hypertension are pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, and Cushing’s syndrome. The last two types of adrenal tumors require complicated treatment, which unfortunately is not always effective in lowering blood pressure while removal of the pheochromocytoma has a better chance of treating hypertension.
Certain hormonal imbalances are also possible causes of secondary hypertension such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism or the overproduction and underproduction of the thyroid hormone. Excessive production of the growth hormone by the pituitarygland can also result in hypertension.
A sleeping disorder known as sleep apnea can also lead to hypertension. This condition is characterized by periodic stops in the breathing of a person during sleep. The good thing is that sleep apnea can be effectively treated by the use of a device that continually keeps the person’s airway open when sleeping, thereby, reducing blood pressure considerably.
Certain prescription drugs such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, epoetin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause secondary hypertension There are also some over-the-counter medications that can raise blood pressure including common pain relievers, nasal decongestants, and weight-loss products with caffeine. The illegal drugs amphetamine and cocaine are also known to increase the blood pressure.
Because there are a number of causes of secondary hypertension, it is important to learn about them in order to properly identify the appropriate treatment. Treating or controlling the causes of secondary hypertension is crucial to treating the resulting incidence of high blood pressure.
Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Hypertension and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Hypertension web site. For more articles and resources on Hypertension related topics, pulmonary and arterial hypertension, high blood pressure symptoms and treatments, natural remedies and much more visit his site at:=>http://hypertension.need-to-know.net/
