Hypertension: Risks and Prevalence

When an individual is diagnosed with hypertension, it indicates that their average arterial pressure surpasses the accepted normal range. The increase in blood pressure raises significant health concerns for three primary reasons: its widespread prevalence, potential adverse consequences, and the likelihood of symptoms going unnoticed even in the later stages of clinical progression.

The negative effects of hypertension are diverse, affecting various organs, and it stands as the primary and most substantial risk factor for both coronary heart attacks and cerebrovascular diseases. Additionally, it can directly contribute to congestive heart failure and renal inadequacy. The absence of a specific threshold value underscores the gradual nature of the risk, escalating with the harmful effects of elevated blood pressure. Consequently, the evaluation of hypertension needs to be approached subjectively. While some advocate for diastolic pressure consistently exceeding 90 mmHg as a fundamental criterion, defining systolic pressure consistently at 140 mmHg as hypertension results in varying clinical outcomes for different reasons.

Using these criteria as a foundation, an extensive scanning program reveals that approximately 25% of the general population is affected by hypertension. However, despite the systolic and diastolic values set as limits for adults being 160/95, the prevalence is unexpectedly found to be 18% in this program. Although hypertension tends to be more severe in young adults, its frequency increases with age.

Around 90% of hypertension cases are idiopathic, classified as primary (essential) hypertension. The remaining 10%, mostly secondary, are associated with renal diseases and coarctation of the renal artery (renovascular hypertension), typically triggered by an atheroma plaque. Secondary hypertension may also develop at a low rate due to primary aldosteronism and certain adrenal disorders such as Cushing's syndrome and pheochromocytoma.
Hypertension: Risks and Prevalence