Definition of hypertension
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Definition of Hypertension: Understanding High Blood Pressure
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated pressure in the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This condition forces the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels. Blood pressure is measured using two values: systolic pressure (when the heart muscle contracts) and diastolic pressure (when the heart muscle relaxes between beats) 1.
Prevalence and Impact
Hypertension is a significant public health issue, affecting nearly 40% of the world's adult population. It has a profound socioeconomic impact and is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and chronic kidney diseases. The prevalence of hypertension is expected to rise, with estimates suggesting that around 25% of adults will be hypertensive by 2025 2.
Types of Hypertension
Hypertension can be categorized into several types based on its causes and characteristics:
- Essential Hypertension (EHT): Also known as primary or idiopathic hypertension, this is the most common type, accounting for 95% of all cases. It is characterized by elevated blood pressure without an identifiable secondary cause 2.
- Secondary Hypertension: This type results from an underlying condition such as renal disease, endocrine disorders, or vascular abnormalities 2.
- Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT): This involves elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries and can be caused by various diseases, including lung conditions and cardiovascular diseases 2.
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAHT): A specific subgroup of PHT, characterized by progressive remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature 2.
Diagnostic Criteria
Hypertension is typically defined by a persistently elevated blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. This threshold is based on guidelines such as those from the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) 36. However, recent studies suggest that even blood pressure levels below this threshold can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, indicating that the definition of hypertension may need to be more nuanced 6.
Hypertension in Special Populations
In patients with type 1 diabetes, the definition of hypertension may be adjusted to lower blood pressure goals, such as below 130/80 mmHg, due to their higher baseline risk for vascular disease. This adjustment is based on observational and interventional studies that show a continuous relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular events 4.
Evolving Definitions
The definition of hypertension has evolved over the years. The American Society of Hypertension's Hypertension Working Group (HWG) has proposed a more comprehensive definition, describing hypertension as a progressive cardiovascular syndrome. This definition emphasizes that hypertension cannot be classified solely by discrete blood pressure thresholds but should also consider early markers of cardiovascular disease and overall cardiovascular risk 789.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a complex and multifaceted condition with significant health implications. Understanding its various types, diagnostic criteria, and evolving definitions is crucial for effective management and prevention of associated cardiovascular risks. As research continues to advance, the approach to defining and treating hypertension will likely become more refined, aiming to reduce the global burden of this silent killer.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic