Hypertension is systolic pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic pressure ≥90 mm Hg for the general population, and ≥130 or ≥80 mm Hg for certain groups including patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. 1
There are two broad categories of hypertension - primary (or essential) and secondary hypertension.
++++++++++++++++++++
Unlike secondary hypertension, there is no known cause of primary hypertension.
Therefore, the diagnosis of primary hypertension is made after excluding known causes that comprise what is called secondary hypertension.
Study Questions