Aetiological classification of hypertension

By Cristiano Antonino On Nov 26, 2022

Hypertension is a constant, non-occasional state in which blood pressure at rest is higher than the physiological standard considered normal

The causes of high blood pressure can be classified from an aetiological point of view as

Systolic hypertension with increased differential pressure
Reduced arterial compliance (arteriosclerosis) and increased systolic output
Aortic insufficiency;
Thyrotoxicosis;
Primary hyperkinetic cardiac syndrome;
Arteriovenous fistula;
Botallo’s ductus pervio.
Systolic and diastolic hypertension (increased peripheral vascular resistance)
Unilateral and bilateral renal
Chronic pyelonephritis
Acute and chronic glomerulonephritis;
Polycystic kidney;
Nephrovascular stenosis; Renal infarction;
Other nephropathies (diabetic nephropathy, etc.);
Renin-secreting neoplasms.
Endocrine
Oral contraceptives;
Adrenal cortical hyperactivity;
Primary hyperaldosteronism (adenoma, micro-macro- nodular hyperplasia, glycocorticoid-sensitive hyperaldosteronism).
Cushing’s disease and syndrome.
Congenital or hereditary adrenogenital syndromes (17-α- and 11-ß hydroxylase deficiency)
Syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess;
Pheochromocytoma;
Myxoedema;
Acromegaly;
Primary hyperparathyroidism;
Neurogenic
Psychogenic;
Diencephalic syndrome;
Familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day);
Polyneuritis (acute porphyria, Pb poisoning);
Increased intracranial pressure (acute);
Spinal cord section (acute);
Various
Coarctation of the aorta;
Increased intravascular volume (excessive transfusions, polycythaemia);
Panarteritis nodosa;
Hypercalcaemia;
Liddle’s syndrome;
Drugs and toxins
Mineralcorticoids and exogenous glycorticoids;
Liquorice and carbenoxolone;
Cyclosporine;
Sympathomimetics, tyramine, MAO inhibitors;
Substances of abuse (cocaine, etc.);
Anorectics;
Nasal decongestants;
Antidepressants;
Phenothiazine;
Erythropoietin;
Unknown aetiology
Essential hypertension (over 90% of cases)
Toxaemia gravidarum
Acute intermittent porphyria

The prevalence of secondary hypertension varies between 10 and 30% depending on the case series examined and the methods used to search for a possible cause of high blood pressure.

Renovascular hypertension is the most frequent secondary hypertension (7%) followed by hypertension of renoparenchymal origin and endocrine high blood pressure.

Organ Complications Of Hypertension

Medications For High Blood Pressure: Here Are The Main Categories

Blood Pressure: When Is It High And When Is It Normal?

Kids With Sleep Apnea Into Teen Years Could Develop High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure: What Are The Risks Of Hypertension And When Should Medication Be Used?

Pulmonary Ventilation In Ambulances: Increasing Patient Stay Times, Essential Excellence Responses

Thrombosis: Pulmonary Hypertension And Thrombophilia Are Risk Factors