Hypertension is a very common condition that you may know better by its other name, high blood pressure. Your blood pressure is the measure of the force your heart uses to pump blood throughout your body. The harder your heart has to work, the higher your blood pressure will be.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to health problems. There are a few different types, with each of them requiring prompt and effective treatment to prevent serious complications.

Types of Hypertension

There are two main types of hypertension: essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. The most diagnosed form of hypertension is essential hypertension, also known as primary hypertension.

Essential hypertension

When you’re diagnosed with essential hypertension, it means you have high blood pressure without a known cause. This type of hypertension is usually diagnosed after a doctor notices that your blood pressure is high and has eliminated all other potential causes of hypertension. 

Secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension is a type of blood pressure with a known and identifiable cause. It can be the result of kidney problems, obstructive sleep apnoea, adrenal gland dysfunction, hormone abnormalities, and thyroid disease. Excess sodium and alcohol in the diet can also be a cause.

Some drugs have been linked to secondary hypertension, including over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine.

Other Types of Hypertension

In addition to essential and secondary hypertension, there are other, less common forms of the condition.

Isolated systolic hypertension

Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers: systolic pressured and the diastolic pressure. Normal blood pressure is considered under 120/80 systolic/diastolic. With isolated systolic hypertension, the systolic pressure rises above 140, while the lower number remains at a normal or near-normal range. This type of hypertension happens most often to people over the age of 65 and is caused by a loss of elasticity in the arteries. Having a persistently high systolic pressure raises the risk of eventually developing cardiovascular problems.

Malignant hypertension

Malignant hypertension occurs in only about 1 percent of people with high blood pressure. It’s more common in younger adults, men of African descent, and women with pregnancy toxaemia.
Malignant hypertension is a potentially life-threatening condition that makes your blood pressure rapidly increase to dangerous levels. This is a medical emergency and should be treated right away in a hospital. Symptoms can include numbness in the extremities, blurry vision, mental confusion, chest pain, and headaches.

Resistant hypertension

If your doctor has prescribed at least three types of blood pressure medications and your blood pressure is still too high, you may have resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension is more common in people who are older in age, are obese, female, African American, and in people with an underlying illness like diabetes.

Causes of Hypertension

Up to 95% cases of hypertension are classified as primary hypertension. While this type of high blood pressure is characterised by having no known cause, there are certain risk factors that make you more likely to develop it.

1. Age: The risk of hypertension increases with age, although it is possible for younger adults and children to develop it.
2. Gender: In adults under the age of 65, men are more likely to develop high blood pressure. After age 65, it’s more common in women.
3. Ethnicity: Those of African and East Asian descent are more susceptible to high blood pressure and tend to develop it younger.
4. Weight: Being obese or overweight raises your risk of hypertension because it impacts your blood vessels and organs.
5. Lack of Exercise: People who are frequently inactive tend to be heavier in weight and have a higher heart rate, two factors that can lead to high blood pressure.
6. Genetics: Having a family history of high blood pressure also raises your risk.
7. Smoking, Vaping, and Drinking: Using tobacco, vaping, and drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can lead to several serious health conditions including high blood pressure.
8. Diet High in Sodium: Consuming too much salt in your diet is a common risk factor for hypertension.
9. Stress: High stress levels can temporarily increase blood pressure, which can become chronic if the stress levels remain high.

Children who develop high blood pressure may do so because of a problem with the heart and kidneys. In recent years, however, there has been an increase in children being diagnosed with hypertension due to poor lifestyle habits.

Symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension regularly presents with no noticeable symptoms and is only diagnosed when it is specifically tested for. This is why so many people in the UK are living with high blood pressure without even realising it.

If symptoms are present, they can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Nosebleeds
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness

Complications of Hypertension

It’s important to catch high blood pressure as soon as possible because the longer it goes untreated, the higher the chances are for serious health complications to develop. Adults over the age of 40 should get regular blood pressure checks do that they can treat high blood pressure as soon as possible.

Complications of uncontrolled hypertension include:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Aneurysm
• Kidney problems
• Heart failure
• Vision loss
• Dementia
• Diabetes

Treatment for Hypertension in the UK

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to regulate your blood pressure, you may be prescribed high blood pressure medication. For these medications to be effective, you’ll still need to continue with your healthy habits. Pharmacy Planet has several high blood pressure medications available to buy online in the UK, including Accupro and Accuretic. They work by relaxing the walls of your arteries to improve your blood flow.

1. Accupro: Its active ingredient Quinapril is a type of drug known as an ACE inhibitor, a substance that relaxes veins and arteries.
2. Accuretic: It contains Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide, which work together to widen and relax blood vessels.

Manage your high blood pressure by making the right lifestyle changes and taking medication that can help keep your blood pressure in control.

If you are looking to buy proven hypertension medication online in the UK, you can book a quick consultation with us. After a short online assessment, we’ll dispense your prescriptions and have them delivered quickly and safely right to your door.