Do you know that nearly half of adults in the United States (108 million, or 45%) have hypertension and 22.4% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition?¹ How about other countries? Globally, 3.5 billion adults now have non-optimal systolic BP levels (that is, >110–115 mmHg) and 874 million adults have systolic BP ≥140 mmHg². Thus, approximately one in four adults has hypertension. However, studies show that high blood pressure is not an inevitable consequence of aging³⁴. Later on, we will tell you about these studies in detail. In the meantime, let’s talk about what hypertension is and how it can be prevented.

This article was last reviewed by Svetlana Baloban, Healsens,, 2020. This article was last modified on December 14, 2020.

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Hypertension Causes

Defining hypertension we need to distinguish between primary and secondary hypertension. The majority of patients suffer from primary hypertension, which is approximately 85% to 95% of all cases. It should be said that the causes of hypertension include several types of genetic issues combined with many factors, which will be discussed below. In almost all of these cases, the disease is associated with a family history. As for secondary hypertension, it accounts for 5% to 15% of all cases. Secondary hypertension means that high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition. For example, high blood pressure can be the result of diseases such as kidney, glandular, and heart disease.

Primary Hypertension

So, speaking of primary hypertension, we primarily talk about genetic predisposition along with many lifestyle factors. What are the most significant factors? First, it is a high sodium (Na⁺) intake⁵⁶. Thus, high serum Na+ concentration promotes fluid (water) retention, thereby increasing blood volume and BP. When dietary Na+ increases in normotensive individuals, compensatory haemodynamic changes occur to maintain constant BP. These changes include a decrease in renal and peripheral vascular resistance and an increase in nitric oxide production by the endothelium. However, if the action of nitric oxide is impaired or absent, an increase in blood pressure occurs.

The second factor is poor sleep quality or sleep apnea. Also, excessive alcohol consumption and high mental stress contribute to the development of hypertension.

Finally, the likelihood of developing hypertension increases with age due to progressive hardening of the arterial vasculature. This induration is caused, among other things, by slowly developing changes in vascular collagen and an increase in atherosclerosis⁷. Finally, immunological factors can also play an important role. So, against the background of infectious or rheumatological diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension may develop.⁶

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Secondary Hypertension

As we mentioned above, secondary hypertension means that it is caused by some other medical condition. Let’s talk about important clues pointing to some other causes of hypertension. First of all, such clues include young age. So, in young people under 30 years of age, renal causes or coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aortic lumen) are often determined. And it is because of these problems that the pressure rises. It is also helpful to understand what symptoms or signs may indicate secondary causes of high blood pressure (see table 1).

Another indicator that high blood pressure is caused by another disease is severe hypertension (BP ≥ 180/110 mm Hg). And also a situation when, despite the simultaneous administration of three antihypertensive drugs of different classes, including a diuretic, the pressure still remains above 140/90 mm Hg (resistant hypertension)⁸. Much attention should be paid to a sharp exacerbation of hypertension in a patient with previously stable control.

Diagnosis of Hypertension

High blood pressure is a silent danger, because only a few patients have clear hypertension symptoms. Thus, it’s important to know what hypertension is. And that is why in clinical practice, all adults should have BP measured at regular doctor visits. In addition, since 2010, it has been recommended to measure blood pressure on your own, for example at home or at pressure measurement points⁹. This ability to independently measure blood pressure allows you to identify various phenotypes of the disease. We are talking about such conditions as white coat hypertension (isolated clinical hypertension) and masked (isolated outpatient) hypertension.

How to measure your blood pressure?

It is recommended to measure your blood pressure correctly at regular intervals. Sit quietly for 5 minutes before starting the measurement. The cuff should be adjusted to fit the arm and positioned at heart level. In addition, BP should be checked both while sitting and standing. In this way, you can exclude orthostatic hypotension. This is a condition where an excessive decrease in blood pressure (BP) occurs when taking an upright position. Finally, it should be said that at least once BP should be measured on both arms. This should be done in order to compare varying results. If the difference in SBP is 20 mm Hg. and / or DBP more than 10 mm Hg., it is already a sign of vascular anomalies.

If you notice any deviations, then it makes sense to measure your blood pressure twice in the morning and twice in the evening for at least 3 days, and preferably 7 days. After that, calculate the average for all measurements for the last 2 days to 6 days, depending on the measurements made for 3 or 7 days, respectively. As a rule, the readings of the first day are skipped. When taking morning and evening measurements, pay attention to the following recommendations.

• Blood pressure is measured in the morning 30 minutes after waking up, but before taking medication or having breakfast.
• Blood pressure is measured in the evening before taking medication.

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What is normal blood pressure?

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have released their updated guidelines for blood pressure (Table 2)¹⁰.

As you can see, high blood pressure (without a diagnosis of hypertension) is systolic blood pressure between 120 and 129. Previously, this was an undefined category called “prehypertension.” As we wrote above, measurements must be obtained from at least two exact measurements in two different cases.

Laboratory investigations in the diagnosis of hypertension

FURTHER READING

1. Facts About Hypertension
2. Global Burden of Hypertension and Systolic Blood Pressure of at Least 110 to 115 mm Hg, 1990-2015
3. Migration, blood pressure pattern, and hypertension: the Yi Migrant Study
4. The Kenyan Luo migration study: observations on the initiation of a rise in blood pressure
5. Sodium in Your Diet
6. Hypertension
7. Vascular Aging and Arterial Stiffness
8. Secondary hypertension in adults
9. Methodology and technology for peripheral and central blood pressure and blood pressure variability measurement: current status and future directions – Position statement of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on blood pressure monitoring and cardiovascular variability
10. Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home