Hypertension
By: Joe Hing Kwok Chu
Hypertension is the medical term used for high blood pressure.
Definition
World Health Organization defines high blood pressure as when the systolic blood pressure (the top number of the blood pressure monitor, which represents the pressure generated when the heart constricts) is higher than or equal to 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number of the blood pressure monitor, which represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart expanses) is higher than or equal to 95mmHg. When systolic blood pressure consistently higher than 140 mmHg but lower than 160 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure is higher than 90 mmHg but lower than 95 mmHg is borderline high blood pressure.
Hypertension
systolic pressure >= 160 mmHg, diastolic pressure >= 95
Borderline hypertension
systolic pressure >= 140 mmHg but < 160 mmHg, diastolic pressure >=90 but < 95 mmHg
It is estimated that 10% of the world population suffer from borderline hypertension. In many countries borderline hypertension is now classified as hypertension.
Classifications of Hypertension
1. Primary (essential) hypertension
No obvious causes. About 90% of cases of hypertension do not have obvious causes.
2. Secondary hypertension.
Caused by other diseases or malfunctioning of the system of the body, like:
adrenal gland tumors
Cushing's syndrome
kidney disorders
kidney failure
glomerulonephritis
renal vein thrombosis
renal artery occlusion (stenosis)
renal artery embolism
diabetes mellitus
drugs
pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives
hemolytic-uremic syndrome
Henoch-Schonlein purpura
periarteritis nodosa
radiation enteritis
retroperitoneal fibrosis
Wilms' tumor
and others
Therapy with certain qigong
