Hypertension: Pathophysiology and Treatment

Abstract

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading risk factor associated with death in the world. It is affected by a wide variety of factors, including increasing age, black African or Caribbean ethnicity, being overweight and having a lack of physical activity. Primary hypertension, in which no specific cause is found, affects 95% of patients. Hypertension is typically asymptomatic and only detected through opportunistic screening. Symptoms only manifest when blood pressure reaches very high levels (usually >200 mmHg systolic), and can include headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds. It is usually diagnosed when a patient's blood pressure is repeatedly found to be 140/90 mmHg or higher in a clinical setting and average readings taken using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or monitoring at home are higher than 135/85 mmHg. Once hypertension has been diagnosed, further tests should be conducted, including urine testing, blood tests, an eye examination and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).