Primary Versus Secondary Hypertension: Understanding the Differences

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), the best course of action is to learn more about the potential causes of the condition and explore ways to bring your blood pressure under control. For many residents of Lanham, Maryland, and the surrounding area, Kadie E. Leach, MD, is the chosen partner in managing high blood pressure and improving all aspects of health and wellness. 

What is high blood pressure and why does it matter?

Every time your heart beats, it pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries. This pumping action places pressure on your artery walls, and the measure of that pressure during a heartbeat is your systemic blood pressure, while the measure during the pause between heartbeats is your diastolic blood pressure. 

A “normal” blood pressure measurement is 120/80 (systolic/diastolic). A reading above 130/80 is considered stage 1 hypertension, and a reading over 140/90 is considered stage 2 hypertension. 

High blood pressure can damage your arteries, weakening them and causing them to lose elasticity. You can experience an elevated risk of heart failure or heart attack, as well as an increased risk of stroke. 

High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder than it should to move blood through your arteries. Virtually every organ in your body is negatively affected if not provided with a sufficient volume of oxygenated blood. 

There are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary

Primary hypertension, sometimes called essential hypertension, develops due to one or more identifiable causes. This is the most common form of hypertension and is strongly linked to lifestyle factors like a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, overweight or obesity, too much stress, and poor sleep quality. 

It isn’t always easy to identify the precise cause of primary hypertension. Very often, it’s a combination of things that lead to this form of high blood pressure. 

Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, develops as a direct result of a medical condition or specific medication. The good news about secondary hypertension is that once the cause is identified, you can work with Dr. Leach to take action and treat the underlying cause. 

Some of the things that can lead to secondary hypertension include thyroid problems, obstructive sleep apnea, adrenal gland disease, and hormonal abnormalities. Medications like birth control pills, antidepressants, and stimulants can also be to blame. 

What you can do to lower blood pressure with each type of hypertension

If you have primary hypertension, the best path forward is to make efforts to replace unhealthy habits with choices that support your overall health and wellness. This doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul of everything you enjoy about life. Even making small adjustments can go a long way toward lowering your blood pressure. 

Dr. Leach works with you to find ways to improve your daily nutrition. Often, the main focus is cutting out highly processed foods and eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 

You can also learn how to get more activity into your daily routine. There’s no need to take on an extreme exercise regimen; a simple daily walk may help lower your blood pressure. 

If you have secondary hypertension, the focus is on determining the likely cause of the condition and treating that underlying issue. This could mean changing your medication or trying a new treatment approach. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, wearing a custom oral appliance at night might do the trick. 

When is the right time to take action?

Hypertension is commonly referred to as a “silent killer” because the first symptoms are often a serious health crisis like heart disease or a stroke. That’s why blood pressure readings are part of each and every physical exam. Knowing your numbers is an important way to stay on top of blood pressure changes over time. 

As soon as you learn your blood pressure is abnormally high, or even trending in a higher direction, it’s time to take action. Bringing those readings down can dramatically lower your risk of serious negative health outcomes.

When you’re ready to find out more about your blood pressure and how to make positive changes, schedule a time to come in and sit down with Kadie E Leach, MD, to review your health data. Scheduling a visit is as simple as a quick phone call or a few moments on the online booking page, so don’t delay.