Nearly half of all adults in the United States — 119.9 million people — live with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. This chronic condition is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, yet it rarely causes any noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
For comprehensive blood pressure screening and treatment, turn to Heena Shyamani, MD, and our team at Shah Medical Center. We work with you to stabilize your numbers and protect your cardiovascular health.
High blood pressure is categorized into one of two main types based on its underlying cause: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. In this month’s post, we take a look at how they differ and what that means for your long-term treatment plan.
Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through your arteries to the rest of your body. Hypertension occurs when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high.
Over time, that pressure damages the tissue inside the arteries, creating tiny tears that lead to scarring. As scar tissue builds up, your arteries become stiff and narrow, which forces your heart to work even harder to push blood through them.
While both primary and secondary hypertension put a similar strain on your cardiovascular system, each type differs based on how and why it develops:
For most patients, high blood pressure develops gradually over several years. Rather than pointing to one specific medical issue, primary hypertension typically stems from a combination of lifestyle factors, age-related changes, and your genetic makeup.
Unlike the primary type, secondary hypertension is the result of an underlying medical condition or a medication, not your age, lifestyle, or genetics. It tends to appear suddenly and often causes higher readings. Issues such as kidney disease, thyroid problems, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can trigger a sudden spike in blood pressure.
In many cases of secondary hypertension, resolving the root cause works to naturally lower your blood pressure. However, we may still prescribe a blood pressure medication, such as an ACE inhibitor or beta-blocker, to stabilize your blood pressure while we address the other concern.
For primary hypertension, successful management involves a lifelong commitment to healthy habits. While medication is a common and effective tool for keeping your blood pressure in a safe range, it’s essential to make heart-conscious lifestyle choices at the same time. Here’s what you can do:
Whether you need to identify the cause of a sudden spike or get your long-term management plan back on track, our team provides the personalized guidance and support you need. To schedule a blood pressure screening at Shah Medical Center in Elgin, Illinois, call or book online today.
