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Pathophysiology Of Essential Hypertension

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1. Describe the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.
Ans: Essential hypertension is high blood pressure that doesn’t have a known secondary cause. It is also denoted as primary hypertension. It is the result of interaction between genetics and environment. Hypertension is defined as elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure where the blood pressure is consistently above 140/90. It is caused by an increase in cardiac output or total peripheral resistance or both. Increased heart rate or stroke volume raises cardiac output. Increased blood viscosity or reduced vessel diameter raises peripheral resistance. There are several mechanisms bring about high blood pressure such as the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and natriuretic hormones. Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, obesity-related hormones, and insulin resistance are the factors that increase peripheral resistance or blood volume. Insulin resistance and neurohumoral dysfunction (SNS, RAAS, and natriuretic hormones) cause vasoconstriction and increased peripheral resistance. While inflammation causes renal dysfunction that leads to ineffective salt excretion and water retention and increases blood volume.

2. Explain the possible problems associated with the high diastolic pressure.
Ans: Over a long period of time, the increased blood pressure increases work for the heart causing left-side heart failure, damage to cerebral arteries causing stroke, damage to

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