Essential Hypertension
Essential hypertension is high blood pressure that develops without a single identifiable cause. It accounts for around 90–95% of all hypertension cases and is among the most prevalent chronic conditions across South and Southeast Asia, where dietary salt intake and urbanisation have driven rates sharply upward in recent decades.
Medicines used to treat Essential Hypertension
Why blood pressure rises and stays high
In essential hypertension, the arteries gradually become stiffer and narrower. The heart then works harder to push blood through, keeping pressure elevated even at rest. Age, genetics, high sodium intake, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and chronic stress all contribute. Most people have no noticeable symptoms for years, which is why regular monitoring matters, particularly in countries such as India, the Philippines, and Indonesia where hypertension prevalence exceeds 25% in adults.
Medicines that lower blood pressure
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are a well-established class for heart and blood pressure conditions. They block a hormone pathway that constricts blood vessels, allowing arteries to relax. Irbesartan and telmisartan are both ARBs used widely in essential hypertension; telmisartan has an unusually long action covering a full 24 hours, which suits once-daily dosing. ARBs are generally well tolerated and do not cause the dry cough associated with the related ACE inhibitor class.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience a sudden severe headache, blurred vision, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, as these can be signs of a hypertensive crisis.