The Different Types And Stages Of Hypertension

Hypertension is a dangerous medical condition. This is because it is very difficult to detect in the earlier stages. Once a patient is at the later stages, hypertension tends to be self re-enforcing and may require medical attention. The severity of the issue is increasing day by day. According to the data released by CDC about 53% of residents suffer from hypertension. That is 1 in 2 residents!

On an average hypertension results in 40.5 million ambulatory visits each year. The numbers are staggering. What is more staggering though, is the avoidance tendency of the general population towards this issue. Correct information is a must to treat hypertension correctly. Here is some basic information.

The Types of Hypertension:

Hypertension is classified on the basis of its causes. Although there are many types of hypertension, they can be clubbed into three main classes. They are as follows:

• Primary: Primary hypertension occurs when the underlying cause for the increased blood pressure is not known. This is the most common type and this is what your physician is referring to when they talk about hypertension in general. Although many risk factors have been identified, the precise cause is not known.


• Secondary: Secondary hypertension occurs when the underlying cause is known. Most common causes are diabetes, sleep disturbances, kidney and endocrine related. Here the focus of the treatment shifts towards treating the main cause, which will treat hypertension automatically.


• Special Types: There are many special types of hypertension. One example would be when only the systolic number rises. This is called isolated systolic hypertension. Such occurrences are a norm in older patients. There are also other forms of hypertension such as exercise hypertension. This refers to the increased blood pressure during exercise. It may be a precursor for increased blood pressure during rest periods too!

Stages of Hypertension:

• Pre-hypertension: Pre-hypertension, as the name suggests is not hypertension. It is the stage before the developing of hypertension. However, it is characterized as a stage because the risk in this stage increases manifold. Immediate lifestyle changes are needed to ensure that the person does not develop the disease. There is no evidence that medications are required at this stage. Doctors will consider each case on its merits, look at the lifestyle and other risk factors and then decide if a prescription is necessary.The Systolic and Diastolic Pressure at This Stage Range Between:
  
  
  Systolic Pressure: 120-139 mmHg
  
  Diastolic Pressure: 80-89 mmHg


• Hypertension Stage 1: At this stage, there is considerable evidence to indicate that hypertension increases the risks of developing far more complicated cardiovascular problems. Medication is therefore required. However the dosages are mild. Patients are advised to change their lifestyle. The primary modifications are in their diet. The consumption of fat needs to be reduced as it is known to clog arteries and aggravate the problem. Also fruits and green vegetables intake needs to be increased as they have antioxidants which help in fulfilling the vitamin deficiency and hormonal imbalance, thus treating the problem from its roots.The Systolic and Diastolic Pressure at This Stage Range Between:
  
  Systolic Pressure: 140-159 mmHg
  
  Diastolic Pressure: 90-99 mmHg


• Hypertension Stage 2: This stage of hypertension can be classified as chronic. This is because, even after medication in stage 1, the problem is not under control but instead it is aggravated. Thus medications are often changed at this stage and patients are advised to pay more attention to their lifestyle as negligence could cause severe consequences like heart attack, stroke or even organ failure.

The Systolic and Diastolic Pressure at This Stage Range Between:

Systolic Pressure: > 160mmHg

Diastolic Pressure: >100 mmHg

Atacand Plus is a very effective medication in dealing with hypertension. It helps reduce the blood pressure immediately while you can work on your lifestyle modifications for longer lasting results.