5 types of hypertension and tips to manage them

More often than not, hypertension is asymptomatic, which is why it's called the silent killer. Also known as high blood pressure, it is when your blood pressure or the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels remains consistently high. Due to this, your heart and blood vessels have to work extra hard to pump the blood, making them less efficient. If persistent, it can lead to tissue damage inside the arteries, putting one at risk of heart attack or stroke.
As discussed by experts in a health piece by Hindustan Times, there are different types of hypertension - from primary to resistant. If your blood pressure is constantly high, it would be advisable to get it checked and start treatment.
This article discusses the different types of hypertension and ways to manage them.
Primary hypertension
It is typically asymptomatic and is identified by routine blood pressure checks or community screening. The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Guidelines indicates that patients with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, a history of cardiovascular disease, individuals older than 60, and current smokers should undergo routine screenings.
Secondary hypertension
This condition typically results from a known factor that abruptly worsens blood pressure. It is a secondary diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, aldosteronism, renovascular hypertension, and renal illness.
Gestational hypertension
It is a condition that affects pregnant women and raises the risk of maternal death and fetal defects. It can occur with or without a preeclampsia diagnosis.
White coat hypertension
Also known as isolated clinic hypertension, it is characterised by increased office blood pressure readings but normal results outside the office.
Resistant Hypertension
When three or more antihypertensive drugs, including diuretics, have failed to control a patient's hypertension despite treatment, noncompliance with therapy and subpar antihypertensive therapy are ruled out as causes.
The best ways to manage hypertension are:
To choose the best therapeutic agent for hypertension control, each patient's profile and reaction to treatment must be considered.
ARBs (Angiotensin receptor blockers) can be used alone or in conjunction with CCBs (Calcium channel blockers) to lower blood pressure in diabetic individuals.
ARB and CCB combination therapy is advised to treat hypertensive patients to improve blood pressure control, lower the risk of problems, and improve patient compliance. To lower patient mortality, combination therapy must be recommended in patients at risk for CVDs, renal disorders, or cerebrovascular disorders.
Based on the selection of therapeutic agents and their risk profile, monitoring of electrolyte levels, serum potassium, and creatinine levels, as well as routine evaluation of kidney function, is advised for patients with diabetes and hypertension. For renal and cardiovascular protection in people under 60, it is advised to keep blood pressure levels below 130/80 mmHg in CKD patients.
It is advised that people with Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension undergo 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to keep their readings between 120 and 130 mmHg. Digital equipment may be preferred for measurements performed at home, but an aneroid sphygmomanometer should always be used instead. Age and concomitant diseases have an impact on blood pressure thresholds.