User:UICOM Student Z/Essential hypertension

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Essential hypertension (also called primary hypertension, or idiopathic hypertension) is a form of hypertension that has no identifiable physiologic cause. It is the most common type affecting 85% of those with high blood pressure. The remaining 15% is accounted for by various causes of secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension tends to be familial and is likely to be the consequence of an interaction between environmental and genetic factors. Hypertension can increase the risk of cerebral, cardiac, and renal events.

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 * In the United States, essential hypertension is four times more common in black than white people, accelerates more rapidly and is often more severe with higher mortality in black patients.There are numerous racial inequities that contribute to black individuals having higher prevalence of essential hypertension than white people. These racial disparity-related risk factors are less conspicuous. Discrimination may have both a direct and indirect effect on hypertension. Chronic stress, like that caused by discrimination, has been linked to a number of health problems. Black people often have a higher risk profile, which includes factors including stress, family history of cardiovascular disease, low socioeconomic status, excess sodium intake, obesity, physical inactivity, and low socioeconomic position. Access to social, financial, and educational resources that can enhance one's health is unequally impacted by racial prejudice.Numerous studies have demonstrated the connection between feeling discriminated against and having elevated blood pressure. In comparison to participants who reported low levels of lifetime discrimination, a study from the Jackson Heart Study indicated that those people who reported high or medium levels of prejudice were more likely to acquire hypertension. Racial inequities are rarely acknowledged as significant risk factors in the healthcare industry. (will move this to it's own "Race" subsection in the "risk factors" section)

Smoking directly causes a temporary increase in blood pressure through activation of the sympathetic nervous system by nicotine. Chronic tobacco use is also linked to a variety of medical conditions including coronary artery disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, and stroke. (already added this)