Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered 'essential' hypertension?

1. Idiopathic hypertension

2. Renal artery stenosis

3. Hyperaldosteronism

4. Pheochromocytoma

The correct answer is: Idiopathic hypertension

Essential hypertension, also known as primary hypertension, is a condition characterized by high blood pressure that does not have a specific identifiable cause. This type of hypertension is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, but it typically accounts for the majority of hypertension cases in the general population. The reason why idiopathic hypertension is considered 'essential' is that it occurs spontaneously and is not attributed to any identifiable medical condition. Unlike secondary causes of hypertension, such as renal artery stenosis, hyperaldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma, essential hypertension stands alone without a direct pathological cause being responsible for the elevation in blood pressure. Thus, identifying hypertension as essential does not mean there is no underlying risk or contributing factor; instead, it signifies that the hypertension is not secondary to another disease process. It is this characteristic that differentiates essential hypertension from the other options listed, which are specific conditions known to cause secondary hypertension due to identifiable mechanisms.