I understand your concern because your
husband is very young and has
hypertension. Systolic/diastolic blood
pressure levels (above 140 mmHg for
systolic and 90 mmHg for diastolic) are
taken as arterial hypertension (HTA). It
is impossible to correctly diagnose HTA
with only one measurement. Blood pressure
should be measured each day for at least
one week for proper diagnosis. If the
pressure is always above the normal,
accepted levels I mentioned, the
diagnosis for HTA is established.
According to its etiology HTA is
classified in two categories:
1. Essential (primary, idiopathic)
2. Non-essential (secondary, symptomatic)
Essential HTA is termend "cause
unknown" and is present in about 95% of
all cases. It is believed that this type
of HTA is genetically conditioned. Some
conditions (overweight, old age) and
life-style (smoking, alcohol, consumption
of fatty food, no physical activity…)
are risk factors for developing this kind
of HTA.
Non-essential HTA is present in about
5% of all cases and it is a symptom of
other diseases (renal vascular disorders,
hyperaldosteronism, feochromocytoma…).
In your husband’s case, HTA is
probably genetically conditioned
(essential HTA) because the disease is
present in his family. Therapy for
essential HTA is a life-lasting. Putting
HTA under control is very important
because HTA can damage the kidneys, heart,
brain, blood vessels, eyes… Ramipril is
an ACE-inhibitor. ACE-inhibitors are one
of the most commonly used drugs for HTA
treatment. Their most significant side
effect is a cough (in 10% of patients).
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