Which description best characterizes essential hypertension?

Which description best characterizes essential hypertension?

• A. Known secondary causes include renal, vascular, and endocrine disease
• B. Caused by a single gene mutation
• C. Primary or idiopathic high blood pressure without a secondary cause
• D. Always secondary to renal disease

Answer: (C)

Essential hypertension is high blood pressure with no detectable secondary cause after evaluation. It’s described as primary or idiopathic because most cases aren’t due to a single disease process that can be identified; instead, they arise from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as weight, salt intake, physical activity, and stress. Because there isn’t a specific underlying condition to point to, this form is distinguished from secondary hypertension, which results from another problem like kidney disease, endocrine disorders, or vascular issues. That’s why descriptions mentioning a single gene mutation or renal or endocrine causes don’t fit essential hypertension—the condition is defined by the absence of a secondary cause.

Essential hypertension is high blood pressure with no detectable secondary cause after evaluation. It’s described as primary or idiopathic because most cases aren’t due to a single disease process that can be identified; instead, they arise from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as weight, salt intake, physical activity, and stress. Because there isn’t a specific underlying condition to point to, this form is distinguished from secondary hypertension, which results from another problem like kidney disease, endocrine disorders, or vascular issues. That’s why descriptions mentioning a single gene mutation or renal or endocrine causes don’t fit essential hypertension—the condition is defined by the absence of a secondary cause.