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Hypertension Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. This eMedTV article describes this medical condition in detail, including why blood pressure matters and associated health risks.

Gestational Hypertension Some pregnant women may experience gestational hypertension after the twentieth week of pregnancy. As this eMedTV page explains, if the hypertension is caught early, complications affecting the organs, such as the brain, may be avoided.

Isolated Systolic Hypertension If your systolic blood pressure is too high, you have isolated systolic hypertension. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at isolated systolic hypertension -- the most common form of the disease -including causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Prehypertension Prehypertension is not the same as hypertension. As this eMedTV article explains, it is when your blood pressure readings are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered high blood pressure. This article gives an overview of the condition.

White-Coat Hypertension People who only experience high blood pressure at the doctor's office have "white-coat hypertension." As this eMedTV article explains, this condition doesn't require treatment other than self-monitoring at home.

Preeclampsia Pregnant women with preeclampsia can experience decreased blood flow to vital organs. This page of the eMedTV Web site examines this dangerous condition in detail, and describes possible causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

What Are the Different Types of Hypertension?

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, occurs when blood pressure remains consistently high. Hypertension is the major cause of stroke but can also cause damage to the kidneys, coronary arteries and eyes. For this reason, it is important to identify among the different types of hypertension, the causes and the treatment. To control hypertension successfully in individual patients, health care professionals must first diagnose a particular case based on its characteristics and causes.

1. Primary Hypertension
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Individuals typically suffer primary hypertension as a result of poor lifestyle habits. While this type of hypertension accounts for most of the cases diagnosed by doctors, the exact cause is unknown. However, some theories have suggested that in some people, a problem with the kidneys may cause the body to retain an increased amount of sodium, which, in turn, increases blood volume and pressure in the vessels. While medication may be required, dietary changes, stress management and physical activity are essential elements of treatment. Sodium intake is a primary factor responsible for high blood pressure in many individuals, particularly the elderly and people who are obese. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of potassium, which, if consumed in adequate amounts, can help to decrease blood pressure.

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension is the symptom of an underlying medical condition such as kidney disease, problems with the liver, congestive heart failure, stress, sleep apnea or an endocrine disorder such as hyperthyroidism or Cushing's syndrome, which produce elevated levels of hormones. Renal artery stenosis is a frequent cause of secondary hypertension. Problems occur when the artery supplying the kidney with blood narrows. Treatment of secondary hypertension involves controlling the underlying medical condition or disease in addition to prescribing antihypertensive drugs.

Alcohol-Induced Hypertension
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On average, 30 to 50 percent of alcoholics have hypertension. The condition is more likely to occur in women who abuse alcohol than in men. In fact, heavy drinking of alcohol may be one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Numerous studies of alcoholics have shown that, in most cases, blood pressure returns to normal once alcohol is out of the person's system, and he continues to abstain. However, if a person begins to drink again, blood pressure rises. Consuming too much caffeine can also cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. Caffeine stimulates the release of cortisol and adrenaline. Because most caffeine addicts develop a tolerance over time, the question remains whether caffeine adversely affects blood pressure in the long term.

Isolated Systolic Hypertension

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Isolated systolic hypertension occurs in people as they grow older. Build up of plaque in the arteries makes it more difficult for blood to flow through. A common form of high blood pressure in individuals older than 60, medication appears to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Research supported by both the National Institute of Aging and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that treating the elderly with diuretics not only decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease but may also reduce the risk of dementia and related depression.

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
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Some otherwise healthy women begin to suffer from hypertension after the twentieth week of pregnancy. In the majority of cases, these women are overweight or obese. The condition can be mild or rather severe. Other symptoms include retaining water and protein in the urine. The condition normally goes away within a few weeks following delivery. Pregnancy-induced hypertension may be due to preexisting hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease or carrying multiple fetuses. Women who are diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension are at greater risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, swelling of the hands and face, nausea, vomiting and pain in the abdomen. The condition usually affects pregnant women who are younger than 25 years old or older than 40 years of age. It is more likely to occur during a first pregnancy or in women who had hypertension before becoming pregnant.

Medication-Induced Hypertension
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Certain prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can either cause or worsen hypertension. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), decongestants and weight loss supplements are common OTC drugs that can cause an increase in blood pressure. Cortocosteroids, immunosuppressive and cancer drugs are among the prescription medications for which high blood pressure can be a side effect. These drugs constrict blood vessels and can cause kidney problems.

Malignant Hypertension
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Malignant hypertension is considered to be a medical emergency as the blood pressure can suddenly rise to dangerous levels. A person can experience shortness of breath, chest pain, an excruciating headache, seizures or even loss of consciousness as the blood pressure rises.

Vomiting, blurred vision or blindness can occur as well. Although the condition can be life threatening if not treated immediately, these symptoms are sometimes the first sign that an individual has high blood pressure. Because blood pressure quickly rises so high, a person is at risk for suffering stroke, heart attack, kidney damage or aneurysm causing bleeding in the brain.