Which statement best describes essential hypertension?

Which statement best describes essential hypertension?

• A. It Accounts for Ninety-Five Percent of Cases
• B. It Accounts for Five Percent of Cases
• C. It Is Rare in Adults
• D. It Is Always Secondary

Answer: (C)

Essential hypertension means high blood pressure with no identifiable secondary cause. In adults it is by far the most common type, representing roughly 90–95% of hypertension cases. The remaining cases are secondary, caused by a specific condition or medication. So describing essential hypertension as rare in adults is inaccurate, since it is the predominant form. It’s also not always secondary—by definition it is not.

Essential hypertension means high blood pressure with no identifiable secondary cause. In adults it is by far the most common type, representing roughly 90–95% of hypertension cases. The remaining cases are secondary, caused by a specific condition or medication. So describing essential hypertension as rare in adults is inaccurate, since it is the predominant form. It’s also not always secondary—by definition it is not.