VIII.1. Types of hypertension
There are two main types of hypertension.
A. Resistant hypertension
This group includes essential hypertension. The cause of this type is the morphological and functional obstruction of small arteries, and the increased resistance of the peripheral blood vessels. The BP increases to overcome the resistance and to maintain the circulation. In this case, the systolic and the diastolic BP are enhanced too.
B. Volume hypertension
A significantly increased circulating blood volume causes an enhanced heart rate, hyperthyroidism, and aortic valve insufficiency. In this case, only the systolic BP is increased. The diastolic BP does not change, and the pulse amplitude is enhanced.
A. Essential (Primary) hypertension
This accounts for 95% of all the cases. It is caused by
psycho-social stress
malnutrition
physical inactivity
smoking
genetic factors
consequential (caused by an organic disorder)
other cases:
enhanced sympathetic activity
Increase of myocardial contraction
a heart rate increase
enhanced vasoconstriction
hyperglycemia
hyperinsulinemia
Na+ and water retention
increased pituitary function
increased AGC function
enhanced resistance
Cortisol and aldosterone production ↑
Angiotensinogen production in adipose tissue ↑
B. The subtypes and causes of secondary hypertension
renal:
inflammatory, immune and vascular causes
adrenal:
catecholamine, cortisol and aldosterone effects
thyroid origin
parathyroid origin
vascular
pregnancy origin