Essential hypertension

Alternative names:

hypertension - essential

Definition:

Blood pressure consistently over 140/90, or diastolic blood pressure consistently over 90, with no identifiable cause.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the size and condition of the arteries. Many other factors can affect blood pressure, including the water volume in the body; salt content of the body; condition of the kidneys; nervous system, or blood vessels; and various hormone levels in the body. Blacks of both sexes, and Caucasian males, have a higher incidence of significant hypertension. Essential hypertension has no identifiable cause. It may have genetic factors, and environmental factors (such as salt intake).