What are the Different Types of Hypertension?

There are two major types of hypertension: essential and secondary. Essential hypertension, also known as idiopathic or primary hypertension, is high blood pressure that has no direct cause. Secondary hypertension is elevated blood pressure that is caused by another illness. Other, less common, types of hypertension include malignant hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, and pre-eclampsia.

One of the most common types of hypertension is essential hypertension. Although it has no direct cause, a number of different factors are believed to contribute to this type of high blood pressure, including a sensitivity to salt, obesity, and high levels of alcohol consumption. A deficiency in potassium or vitamin D can also increase a person's risk of developing this condition, as can genetic factors.

Secondary hypertension is caused by a direct cause. Hyperthyroidism, renal artery stenosis, and Cushing's syndrome are some of the illnesses that can cause high blood pressure. In many cases, treating the underlying disease can help relieve the hypertension, as can lifestyle changes, including weight loss and dietary changes.

Both hyperthyroidism and Cushing's syndrome are hormonal disorders. Hyperthyroidism occurs when excessive thyroid hormone is generated by the thyroid gland. Cushing's syndrome refers to a hormonal disorder that is caused by the exposure of the body tissues to high volume of cortisol for a long period of time. Both conditions can be treated using medications or surgery.

Renal artery stenosis is the thinning of the arterys that provides blood to the kidneys. More of a hormone called renin, which regulates blood pressure, is consequently produced. This triggers a series of chemical reactions that leads to a hypertensive condition known as renal vascular hypertension (RVH).

Malignant hypertension is a life-threatening condition where there is a sudden, sharp increase in a person's blood pressure. The blood pressure can be so high that a person is put in danger of having a heart attack, stroke, or damage to his or her kidneys. Symptoms of malignant hypertension include severe headache, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Isolated hypertension is a type of hypertension common among older people. Plaque accumulates and hardens in the arteries through time, causing arteriosclerosis. This medical condition can cause the systolic blood pressure, the pressure that the blood exerts on the arterial walls when the heart contracts, to rise. A person with a systolic blood pressure of 140 or above and a normal diastolic of 89 or lower is considered to have isolated systolic hypertension.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication in which there is an abrupt rise in a pregnant woman's blood pressure. It usually affects women who are pregnant for the first time or who were already hypertensive before becoming pregnant. It can progress to eclampsia when not given immediate attention and correct treatment. Eclampsia can cause seizures and coma, and can be fatal to both the mother and the baby.

Hypertension is often considered a "silent killer." In some types of hypertension, there are few or no symptoms, and the condition can occur quite suddenly in some cases. A person may be able to avoid many types of hypertension by getting regular medical check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.