• Also known as idiopathic hypertension
• Idiopathic elevation of blood pressure (BP), which accounts for 95% hypertension diagnoses.

Source: Carretero 2000

• AHA = American Heart Association
• BP = blood pressure, unit in mmHG
• CKD = chronic kidney disease
• DBP = diastolic blood pressure
• HTN = hypertension
• JNC = Joint National Committee
• meds = medications
• OSA = obstructive sleep apnea
• SBP = systolic blood pressure
• yo = years old

Source: AHA BP Readings

While most arterial hypertension has no clear causes, potential secondary causes should be ruled out:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Drug-induced hypertension: intoxication, withdrawal, herbal supplements
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Renal artery stenosis
• White-coat hypertension

Source: Iqbal 2019

• Weight control
• Salt restriction
• Smoke secession
• OSA management
• Exercise

Source: Iqbal 2019

JNC-8 guidelines from 2014 recommends to start meds for the following populations:

• Patients with diabetes and CKD with BP > 140/90
• 18–59 yo with SBP > 140
• > 60 yo with BP > 150/90

• Calcium channel blocker (CCB)
• Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
• Thiazide diuretics

• In CKD patients, start with ACEI/ARB

Source: Iqbal 2019

• List of Antihypertensive Medications

• AHA BP Readings: American Heart Association. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. Last updated 2017-11-30 and retrieved on 2020-03-28.
• Carretero OA, Oparil S. Essential Hypertension Part I: Definition and Etiology. Circulation. 2000;101:329–335. DOI: 10.1161/01.CIR.101.3.329
• Iqbal AM, Jamal SF. Essential Hypertension. StatPearls. Last updated 2019-12-01 and retrieved on 2020-03-28.