Types of Hypertension

 

The four stages of high blood pressure (hypertension)can have a variety of, occasionally unexpected, effects on your health.

Different Types of Hypertensions

Most of us have taken our blood pressure at some point, and we may have an idea of what constitutes "good" or "bad" numbers in general. It can be confusing to navigate the many phases and forms of hypertension, but knowing the hazards associated with the numbers is crucial, particularly for those over 50.

A blood pressure measurement of 130/80 mm Hg or above is considered hypertension, according to guidelines published in 2017 by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (AHA).

Because large arteries stiffen with age and raise blood pressure, older adults are more vulnerable to high blood pressure. If medication and lifestyle modifications fail to control the illness it may lead to heart disease, stroke, renal disease, vision issues, and even cognitive damage.  An estimated 46% of adult Americans are classified as having high blood pressure (hypertension) according to AHA criteria.

Blood Pressure Ranges

Chart illustrating the normal, increased, and severe high blood pressure systolic and diastolic ranges

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic	and/or	Diastolic
Normal	Less than 120	and	Less than 80
Elevated	120-129	and	Less than 80
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1	130-139	or	80-89
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2	140 or Higher	or	90 or Higher
Hypertensive Crisis (Consult your doctor immediately)	Higher than 180	and/or	Higher than 120

Source: American Heart Association

Stages of Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

1. Elevated Blood Pressure

You are in the raised range if your diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm Hg, and your systolic pressure is between 120-129 mm Hg. A sedentary lifestyle, a poor diet, and a family history are the main risk factors for this stage. To stop the illness from getting worse, lifestyle modifications are crucial.

2. Hypertension in Stage 1

Stage 1 hypertension is defined as a diastolic pressure of 80–89 mm Hg or a systolic pressure of 130–139 mm Hg. This stage considerably raises the risk of cardiovascular illnesses in people over 50. It is essential to evaluate frequently and make lifestyle changes, such as cutting back on sodium and increasing physical activity.

A blood pressure of 130/80 should be your first clue to see a doctor if you're over 75, smoke, have risk factors for diabetes, kidney disease, high cholesterol, or heart disease, or any combination of these conditions. An expert says that if you're under 75 and don't have any other health issues, your blood pressure should be 140/90. Even so, 130/80 is still regarded as high; therefore, individuals should consider changing their lifestyles and attempting to lower their blood pressure.

"If a patient's blood pressure hits stage 1, it is advised that they start taking medication, and dietary and exercise modifications, among other lifestyle changes, are keeping people from achieving their objective, according to an expert. " "Effective blood pressure management is especially important for people over 50 to significantly lower their risk of heart disease and stroke”.

3. Hypertension in Stage 2.

Hypertension in stage 2 is defined as having a confirmed systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. They run a higher risk of kidney damage, heart attacks, and strokes at this point. To treat this illness, quick and ongoing medical interventions are required in addition to lifestyle modifications.

To get an accurate reading of your blood pressure, we suggest taking your blood pressure three times a day, preferably in the morning and evening right before bed or at least an hour after dinner, in order to obtain an accurate reading. The interval between the readings should be between 30 and 60 seconds.

4. Hypertension as an Emergency and Urgency

According to experts, hypertensive urgency happens when a person's blood pressure is higher than 180/120 but they do not exhibit any indications of harm to a critical organ, such as the heart, brain, kidneys, or eyes. This phase is referred to by experts as uncontrolled hypertension. It is crucial that you take another look at your blood pressure right away if you notice these values. Seek medical help as soon as possible if it stays high so that your treatment plan can be adjusted, and any harm can be avoided.

Experts advise, "If you find yourself in this situation, please do not panic." Take your blood pressure again after five minutes of peaceful sitting. Make quick contact with your healthcare professional if it remains elevated. You can be told to make an appointment for the same day or to visit urgent care, depending on the circumstances.

If you have signs of damage to a crucial organ, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, changes in vision, or trouble speaking, and your blood pressure is higher than 180/120. This could be a symptom that you are experiencing a hypertensive crisis, which is another name for an emergency. Hypertensive emergencies have also been linked to severe headaches.

According to experts, uncontrolled hypertension without signs of organ damage should be treated in an outpatient setting by a primary care physician using slow- or long-acting medicines, which frequently take a few weeks to take full effect. "In this case, we don't want to reverse high blood pressure too quickly because that could do more harm than good by rapidly reducing blood flow to organs that are accustomed to receiving a lot of blood flow."

Malignant Hypertension

A high blood pressure reading of 180/120 or more, which is causing damage to many key organs, is usually referred to as malignant hypertension and is a medical emergency. These days, blood pressure is seldom seen because of blood pressure drugs and preventative measures.

An expert explains that malignant hypertension is the physiological outcome of a hypertensive emergency, meaning that immediate target organ damage is being caused by negative things happening in the body.

Different Types of Hypertensions (High Blood Pressure)

Heart Hypertension

The arteries in your lungs and on the right side of your heart are impacted by pulmonary hypertension. People with underlying medical issues, such as heart or lung disease, are typically the ones who experience it. A kind of this illness known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) causes damage to the blood arteries in your lungs, slowing the flow of blood through them. As a result, your lung arteries' blood pressure increases as the heart works harder to pump blood through them. This may eventually cause the cardiac muscle to weaken. Most patients with this illness are diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60.

 Which type of hypertension is primary or secondary?

Primary Hypertension

Essential hypertension was the old name for primary hypertension, which is the most prevalent type of high blood pressure. Age, genetics, diet, and a sedentary lifestyle can all be risk factors, even though the exact reason is unknown. Smoking, excess drinking, eating too much salt and alcohol, stress, and being overweight or obese are also considered contributing factors.

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension is defined as high blood pressure with a clear and identifiable cause that may be treated. Only 5 to 10 percent of cases of high blood pressure result in this type of hypertension.
Adrenal gland disorders, adverse drug reactions to stimulants, antidepressants, and birth control pills, as well as thyroid problems, can all be underlying causes.

Hypertension that Resists

Blood pressure that remains over 140/90 even while the patient is taking three or more prescription blood pressure drugs is known as resistant hypertension. If hypertension persists after six months of medication, this could be the diagnosis. The expert estimates that 12 percent of people with high blood pressure belong to the resistant hypertension group.

Like other forms of hypertension, risk factors for resistant hypertension include being overweight or obese, not exercising, eating a lot of salty foods, and drinking a lot of alcohol.

Does Low Blood Pressure Exist?

Even though older adults can usually tolerate a lower blood pressure, blood pressure persistently below 90/60 can be problematic for those over 50. It might cause lightheadedness, syncope, and a higher chance of falling.

"To prevent these risks, we must carefully balance your blood pressure management," the expert says.

Hypotension in Orthostatic Posture

Hypotension in orthostatic posture, also known as postural hypotension, it is a medical disorder characterized by a sudden decrease in blood pressure after standing up following a period of sitting or lying down. It may result in fainting or dizziness. Orthostatic hypotension is usually not severe, but if you have dizziness upon standing up on a frequent basis, it's wise to consult your doctor. Long-term bed rest or dehydration, as well as certain drugs (such as calcium channel blockers) used to treat high blood pressure, can also be factors.

Tests, Causes, and Symptoms of Hypertension 

Age-related increases in hypertension cause roughly 75 percent of adults over 60 to have high blood pressure. Discover the science underlying high blood pressure risk factors, diagnostic techniques your doctor may employ, and the reasons the illness is sometimes referred to as a "silent killer."

High Systolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in your arteries during a heartbeat is measured by the upper number in a blood pressure reading, known as the systolic blood pressure. Both the top and bottom values (the diastolic) for most cases of hypertension are high, at 130/80 or more.

However, isolated systolic hypertension, which occurs when the heart beats at 130 mm Hg or more but falls below 80 mm Hg at diastolic pressure (measured when the heart is at rest), is thought to affect 15% of those over 60.

High Diastolic Blood Pressure

The diastolic, or bottom, figure in a blood pressure reading indicates the pressure within your arteries as blood returns to the heart through your veins. Rarely, a high diastolic blood pressure will coexist with a normal systolic blood pressure. Isolated diastolic hypertension is the term for this.

White Coat Hypertension

 A patient with "white coat hypertension," sometimes referred to as "white coat syndrome," has anxiety-related blood pressure that rises while in a medical setting.

It is not unusual, and although it may seem insignificant, it may be a sign that additional stressful events will cause their blood pressure to rise as well.

Individuals who have white coat syndrome should use a validated blood pressure monitor at home and record their findings. Their doctor will use this information to assess if the patient requires treatment outside of a clinical environment.

"A lot of patients use remote monitoring tools to notify their healthcare team on a daily basis about changes in their blood pressure," an expert state. "This enables the doctor to suggest medication adjustments or arrange a video consultation to assist patients in making additional changes without needing to take time off work or travel to the doctor."

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