Hypertension Question And Answers

Hypertension

Question 1. Write a note on the pathophysiology of hypertension.
Answer:

Hypertension is a chronic elevation of blood pressure that, in the long term, causes end-organ damage and results in increased morbidity and mortality. The specific trigger is not known. Probable factors that play significant roles are:

1. Decreased renal sodium excretion: Decreased excretion of sodium by the kidney causes an increase in fluid volume, cardiac output, and peripheral vaso-constriction which leads to an increase in blood pressure.

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2. Raised vascular resistance: Factors that produce vasoconstriction or stimuli that lead to structural changes in vessel walls cause an increase in peripheral vascular resistance and this leads to primary hypertension.

3. Genetic factors: They play an important role in the development of hypertension. Genetic factors may be in the enzymes involved in aldosterone metabolism, sodium reabsorption, and smooth muscle cell growth.

4. Environmental factors: These consist of stress, obesity, smoking, decreased physical activity, and heavy intake of sodium salts.