What is hypertension?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Hypertension is characterized by elevated arterial blood pressure in the systemic circulation, and may be accompanied by functional or organic damage to organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. Hypertension can be divided into primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Secondary hypertension is due to certain identified causes or etiologies, leading to increased blood pressure, accounting for about 5% of all hypertension cases. Conditions like primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, renovascular hypertension, and renin-secreting tumors are examples, and cases where the cause of increased blood pressure cannot be found are also referred to as primary hypertension and hypertensive disease. Currently, the classification and standard for blood pressure in China mostly use a systolic pressure of greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic pressure of greater than or equal to 90 mmHg.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
1min 27sec home-news-image

The difference between hypertensive nephropathy and renal hypertension

Hypertensive nephropathy and hypertension due to kidney disease need to be differentiated, as this affects the treatment approach and prognosis assessment differently. Hypertensive nephropathy refers to patients with long-term high blood pressure, which causes arteriosclerosis of small vessels leading to renal pathology. Often, there is also arteriosclerosis in other organs, such as the retinal arteries, which can be confirmed through funduscopic examination. On the other hand, hypertension due to kidney disease occurs when a patient has kidney disease first followed by hypertension, where the causes and types of kidney diseases vary and can frequently lead to hypertension. The difference between the two lies in the sequence of occurrence. Hypertensive nephropathy is characterized by initial high blood pressure and commonly associated with arteriosclerosis in other vessels, which can be preliminarily identified through funduscopic examination. In cases of hypertension due to kidney disease, the patient has other kidney disorders first, followed by hypertension. If a patient's 24-hour urine protein quantification exceeds 2g, it is likely due to kidney disease rather than hypertensive nephropathy. If differentiation remains challenging, kidney biopsy can be performed for further differentiation.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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How to monitor blood pressure in hypertensive crisis

If a patient experiences a hypertensive crisis, it is recommended that they use an electrocardiogram monitor. This can effectively monitor changes in the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse. If there is a rise in blood pressure, it can be immediately observed. The occurrence of a hypertensive crisis is very dangerous and can lead to complications, potentially causing damage to liver and kidney functions, and leading to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. In particular, it is prone to causing cerebral hemorrhage or coronary heart disease. In such cases, it is crucial to actively use antihypertensive drugs to control symptoms. Regarding diet, it is important to maintain a light diet, especially limiting sodium intake, in order to control the phenomenon of high blood pressure in patients.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What is the standard for high blood pressure?

The standard for hypertension is a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Whether it is systolic or diastolic pressure, if either exceeds the normal range, it is considered hypertension. People with hypertension need to actively undergo antihypertensive treatment. Long-term effective control of blood pressure to meet standards is necessary to reduce the harm caused by elevated blood pressure to the body. If high blood pressure is not effectively controlled, long-term elevated blood pressure can cause damage to the heart, brain, and kidney target organs, and even lead to severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, thus severely affecting the patient's health and even endangering the patient's life.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What should be done at the start of hypertension?

What to do at the onset of hypertension, specifically refers to mild early-stage hypertension. Mild early-stage hypertension can be managed through reasonable dietary adjustments and increased physical activity to lower blood pressure to normal levels. Generally, it is not necessary to use antihypertensive medications. Aerobic exercises such as swimming, skipping rope, square dancing, playing table tennis, volleyball, tennis, can increase vascular elasticity and improve blood circulation, thereby achieving a blood pressure-lowering effect. In terms of diet, it is important to focus on low-fat, low-salt, and low-oil intake to reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis and decrease blood viscosity, as well as sodium and water retention which can cause elevated blood pressure. Pay attention to rest, avoid overworking, and do not get overly excited. These are effective treatment and prevention methods for initial mild hypertension.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How to treat high blood pressure?

Hypertension is a common and frequently occurring disease in clinical practice. Hypertension can cause certain damage to the body, especially long-term hypertension which can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is necessary to adjust the dietary structure, paying attention to a low-fat and low-salt diet. Meanwhile, according to the severity of the blood pressure, effective antihypertensive drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor to adjust the blood pressure within the normal range, avoiding serious damage to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, and also engaging in aerobic exercise. Mild hypertension patients can lower their blood pressure to the normal range through dietary adjustments and aerobic exercises.