Many people have high blood pressure but they usually do not notice it. Over time, this can lead to damage of blood vessels. High blood pressure also called essential hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which may lead to mortality.

In more than 95% of cases, etiology of hypertension is unknown. Such a patient is diagnosed as essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension results as a consequence of a specific disease or abnormality e.g. renal disease, endocrine disorder, drugs, pregnancy.

Blood pressure readings are always listed as a pair: 120/80 mmHg, for example. The higher value which comes first is the systolic blood pressure and the lower value is diastolic blood pressure. BP is measured in units of “millimeters of mercury,” written “mmHg” for short.

BP is shooted up if the systolic value is over 140mmHg or diastolic value is over 90mmHg. However, these levels were set for practical understanding and are a general guide. Experts totally don’t agree to this fact. There is no parameter that defines the value of lower blood pressure.

Classification of Blood Pressure

Category Blood Pressure mm Hg. Systolic Diastolic Normal Normal < 120 Normal < 80 Prehypertension 120-139 80-89 Stage 1 hypertension 140-159 90-99 Stage 2 hypertension > 160 > 100





Types of Hypertension

Essential or Primary Hypertension – The exact cause of this type of hypertension is unknown. It is diagnosed when the blood pressure continues to be high with no cause identified.

Secondary Hypertension – When your hypertension occurs as a result of any underlying disease then it is termed as secondary hypertension. Usually it may occur either due to an abnormality in the arteries or an obstruction in your airways while sleeping. This may also be due to you may have secondary hypertension. This can also be caused by hormonal abnormalities, diseases of the thyroid, etc. – When your hypertension occurs as a result of any underlying disease then it is termed as secondary hypertension. Usually it may occur either due to an abnormality in the arteries or an obstruction in your airways while sleeping. This may also be due to you may have secondary hypertension. This can also be caused by hormonal abnormalities, diseases of the thyroid, etc.

Hypertension is classified into a few more types. They are:



Isolated Systolic Hypertension

Normal blood pressure is usually considered in the range of 120/80. In this category people will have risen systolic value (above 120), whereas the diastolic pressure remains in the normal range (below 90). This is common in upper age group above 65yrs. The most common cause of this type of hypertension is the loss of arterial elasticity.

Malignant Hypertension

This is more often seen in young adults and is a very rare type of hypertension. This occurs only in 1% of the hypertensive candidates. Malignant hypertension occurs when blood pressure rises suddenly and is requires immediate medical care.

Resistant Hypertension

This type of hypertension happens mostly due genetic inheritance. About 20-30% hypertensive individuals fall in this category. Even after taking the prescribed medicines from physician the BP remains high.



