Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a sustained systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher, causing significant health risks such as heart attacks and strokes. Diagnosis involves measuring blood pressure accurately in a calm environment, while treatment may include lifestyle changes and various medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. There are two types of hypertension: primary, which has no identifiable cause and is most common, and secondary, which results from other health conditions, including kidney disease or sleep apnea.

1. ARTERIAL
HYPERTENSION
K A R O L I N A S Ę C Z KO W S K A
5 D M 3 C

2. D E F I N I T I O N :
Hypertension, also known as high
blood pressure either equal of
higher than 140 mm Hg for the
systolic or 90 mm Hg for the
diastolic pressure is a condition in
which the blood vessels have
persistently raised pressure.
Blood pressure is created by the
force of blood pushing against the
walls of arteries as it is pumped by
the heart.
The more blood your heart pumps
and the narrower your arteries, the
higher your blood pressure.
The higher the pressure, the harder
the heart has to pump.

3. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Most people with high blood pressure have no
signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure
readings reach dangerously high levels!
A few people with high blood pressure may
have shortness of breath, early morning
headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart
rhythms, vision changes, and buzzing in the
ears but these signs and symptoms aren't
specific and usually don't occur until high
blood pressure has reached a severe or life-
threatening stage.
More severe forms may exhibit fatigue,
nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest
pain, and muscle tremors. If left untreated,
hypertension can cause persistent chest pain
(also called angina), heart attacks, heart failure,
and an irregular heartbeat, which can lead to a
sudden death.
Hypertension can also cause strokes by
blocking or bursting arteries that supply blood
and oxygen to the brain, as well as kidney
damage, which can lead to kidney failure. High
blood pressure causes damage to the heart by
hardening arteries and decreasing the flood of
blood and oxygen to the heart.

5. DIAGNOSIS AND MEASURMENT
Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure cuff, which can detect the pressure inside arteries,
conveying numerical values using a sphygmomanometer or an electronic device.
Resting blood pressure is considered the most accurate reading. To get this measurement:
• Blood pressure should be recorded in a quiet, warm environment after sitting quietly for at least five
minutes with feet supported.
• You should not have used caffeine or tobacco products for at least 30 minutes prior to the test.
• Some people have elevated resting blood pressures in the healthcare provider's office, but have
normal resting blood pressures at other times. This pattern is called white coat hypertension, and it
usually occurs due to anxiety. repeat checks may be necessary if this occurs.
• Several types of medicine can be used to help control high blood pressure- Many people need to take
a combination of different medicines.

7. RISKS:
• Heart attack or stroke- High blood pressure can cause hardening and thickening of the arteries
(atherosclerosis), which can lead to a heart attack
• Aneurysm- Increased blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to weaken and bulge, forming an
aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.
• Heart failure- To pump blood against the higher pressure in your vessels, the heart has to work harder. This
causes the walls of the heart's pumping chamber to thicken (left ventricular hypertrophy). Eventually, the
thickened muscle may have a hard time pumping enough blood to meet your body's needs, which can lead
to heart failure.
• Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys- These damaged arteries are not able to deliver
enough blood to the kidney tissue. Damaged kidney arteries do not filter blood well.
• Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes- This can result in vision loss.
• Metabolic syndrome- This syndrome is a group of disorders of your body's metabolism, including increased
waist size, high triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, high blood pressure and
high insulin levels.
• Problems with memory and understanding

8. CLASSIFICATION

9. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
HYPERTENSION?
High blood pressure that doesn’t have a
known cause is called primary
hypertension. In contrast, secondary
hypertension has a known cause.

10. PRIMARY HYPERTENSION
• Primary hypertension is the form of hypertension that by definition has no identifiable
secondary cause. It is the most common type affecting 85% of people.
• Primary hypertension tends to be familial and is likely to be the consequence of an
interaction between environmental and genetic factors.
• Prevalence of primary hypertension increases with age, and individuals with relatively
high blood pressure at younger ages are at increased risk for the subsequent
development of hypertension.
• The following factors may increase risk of developing primary hypertension: diet,
stress, minimal physical activity, being overweight.

11. PREVENTION
If you have elevated blood pressure or hypertension, your doctor will recommend
lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
• Quit smoking.
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Reduce your stress levels.
• Eat a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet that’s rich in potassium and fiber.

12. SECONDARY HYPERTENSION
• Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure caused by another condition or
disease.
• Conditions that may cause secondary hypertension include kidney disease, adrenal
disease, thyroid problems and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Secondary hypertension has a positive outlook with treatment. Early detection and
treatment can help minimize the possibility of serious damage due to abnormal blood
vessel shape or tumors.

14. MEDS:ACE INHIBITORS
Angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors reduce blood
pressure by relaxing your blood
vessels.
Common examples are enalapril,
lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril.
The most common side effect is a
persistent dry cough. Other
possible side effects include
headaches, dizziness and a rash.

15. MEDS:ANGIOTENSIN-2 RECEPTOR
BLOCKERS (ARBS)
ARBs work in a similar way to
ACE inhibitors. They're often
recommended if ACE inhibitors
cause troublesome side effects.
Common examples are
candesartan, irbesartan,
losartan, valsartan and
olmesartan.
Possible side effects include
dizziness, headaches, and cold
or flu-like symptoms.

16. MEDS:CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS
Calcium channel blockers
reduce blood pressure by
widening your blood
vessels.
Common examples are
amlodipine, felodipine,
nifedipine. diltiazem and
verapamil.
Possible side effects
include headaches, swollen
ankles and constipation.
Drinking grapefruit juice
while taking some
channel blockers can
increase your risk of side
effects!

17. MEDS:DIURETICS
Work by flushing excess water
and salt from the body with the
urine.
They're often used if calcium
channel blockers cause
troublesome side effects.
Common examples are
furosemid, indapamide and
bendroflumethiazide.
Possible side effects include
dizziness when standing up,
increased thirst and increased
amount of urine, sometimes a
rash.
Low potassium and low sodium
after long-term use.

18. MEDS: BETA BLOCKERS
Beta blockers can reduce
blood pressure by making
your heart beat more
slowly and with less force.
used only when other
treatments have not
worked.
Are considered less
effective than other blood
pressure medicines.
Common examples are
atenolol and bisoprolol.
Possible side effects
include dizziness,
headaches, tiredness, and
cold hands and feet.

19. LONG TERM TRATMENT GUIDELINES
You may need to take blood
pressure medicine for the rest
of your life. But your doctor
might be able to reduce or
stop your treatment if your
blood pressure stays under
control for several years!
It's really important to take
your medicine as directed. If
you miss doses, it will not work
as well!
The medicine will not
necessarily make you feel any
different, but this does not
mean it's not working!
Medicines used to treat high
blood pressure can have side
effects, but most people do
not get any!
If you do get side effects, do
not stop taking your medicine.
Talk to your doctor, who may
advise changing your
medicine!

20. SOURCES
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-
causes/syc-20373410
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

21. THANK YOU!
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