Secondary Hypertension Investigation Reveals The Cause
Definition
Secondary hypertension occurs in only about 10% of hypertension cases. The other 90% have no underlying cause and are known as essential or primary hypertension. When you are investigating secondary hypertension, you are looking for a known cause.
Causes
Investigators of secondary hypertension claim there are many known conditions that can cause secondary hypertension. Regardless of the cause, the result is an elevated arterial pressure due to an increase in cardiac output or systematic vascular resistance, or both.
When cardiac output is elevated it is usually due to either increased neuro-humoral activation of the heart or increased blood volume.
Renal Artery Stenosis
This can cause narrowing of the vessel stenosis. The reduced lumen diameter increases the pressure drop along the length of the diseased artery, which reduces the pressure at the afferent arteriole in the kidney.
Chronic Renal Disease
Medical investigators of secondary hypertension have discovered that when this condition occurs the kidney cannot excrete normal amounts of sodium which leads to sodium and salt retention.
Primary Hyperaldosteronism
The increased secretion of aldosterone causes renal retention of sodium and water and as a result, blood volume and pressure both increase.
Stress
Emotional stress causes the sympathetic nervous system to activate, and an elevated blood pressure is the result. So just try relaxing in life and do not worry about the things you can not control. Investigators of secondary hypertension praise the power of positive thinking.
Sleep Apnea
Investigations of secondary hypertension also indicate that if you snore, you probably have it. This condition is often caused by being overweight but can have other causes such as an airway obstruction that can be treated with surgery.
Hypothyroidism
This is a thyroid hormone that is released in the body that causes an increase in blood pressure.
Pheochromocytoma
Secreting tumors in the adrenal medulla can lead to very high levels of circulating catecholamines, causing an increase in arterial pressure.
Preeclampsia
This condition usually develops during the third trimester of pregnancy, causing hypertension by increasing blood volume.
Aortic Coarctation
This is a congenital defect that obstructs aortic outflow leading to an elevated blood pressure.
Treatment
Investigations of secondary hypertension have shown that patients are best treated by controlling or removing the underlying disease or pathology, although they still may require anti-hypertensive drugs.
A thorough investigation of secondary hypertension reveals both the underlying disorder that is causing the high blood pressure and the hypertension itself. Remember that by taking a positive approach to every situation, it is like giving yourself medicine.
