How is primary hypertension defined?

How is primary hypertension defined?

• A. Chronic elevation of arterial blood pressure with no identifiable cause.
• B. Elevated blood pressure caused by an identifiable medical condition.
• C. Blood pressure fluctuates widely.
• D. Elevated diastolic pressure only.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is distinguishing primary (essential) hypertension from secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is defined as a chronic elevation of arterial blood pressure with no identifiable secondary cause. It’s the most common form and usually results from a complex mix of genetic factors and long-term lifestyle influences, leading to persistently high blood pressure rather than just episodic spikes. Why this fits best: it describes a sustained high blood pressure without pointing to another medical condition as the source. In other words, there isn’t a clear disease or condition driving the rise in pressure, which is the hallmark of primary hypertension. What doesn’t fit as well: an elevated blood pressure caused by an identifiable medical condition would be secondary hypertension; broad fluctuations in blood pressure describe variability rather than a defining type; and hypertension is not defined by elevation of diastolic pressure alone, since systolic elevation or both can be involved.

The main idea here is distinguishing primary (essential) hypertension from secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is defined as a chronic elevation of arterial blood pressure with no identifiable secondary cause. It’s the most common form and usually results from a complex mix of genetic factors and long-term lifestyle influences, leading to persistently high blood pressure rather than just episodic spikes.

Why this fits best: it describes a sustained high blood pressure without pointing to another medical condition as the source. In other words, there isn’t a clear disease or condition driving the rise in pressure, which is the hallmark of primary hypertension.

What doesn’t fit as well: an elevated blood pressure caused by an identifiable medical condition would be secondary hypertension; broad fluctuations in blood pressure describe variability rather than a defining type; and hypertension is not defined by elevation of diastolic pressure alone, since systolic elevation or both can be involved.