Home > Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders > Essential hypertension

Definition

Essential or primary hypertension, the most common form of hypertension, is elevated blood pressure that develops without apparent cause. Genetic factors, however, appear to play role in increasing the risk of developing the disorder.

Normal blood pressure refers to a range of values rather than a specific set of numbers and varies with factors such as age, race, and gender. However, a blood pressure reading greater than 140/90 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury pressure) is generally considered to be elevated. In this measurement, 140 refers to the systolic pressure (the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts). The 90 refers to the diastolic pressure (the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is between contractions).

Description

More than 95% of all...