Which statement about primary hypertension is true?

Which statement about primary hypertension is true?

• A. It requires management by drug therapy.
• B. It has no identifiable cause.
• C. It is related to another underlying condition.
• D. Obesity is not a factor.

Answer: (B)

Primary hypertension is high blood pressure with no single identifiable cause. It’s considered multifactorial, arising from a mix of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors such as excess weight, high sodium intake, physical inactivity, and stress. Because there isn’t a specific disease process to treat, the statement that there is no identifiable cause is true. Management focuses on reducing overall cardiovascular risk through lifestyle changes, and medications may be added if blood pressure remains high despite these measures. The other ideas don’t fit: primary hypertension doesn’t have to be treated with drugs from the start—nonpharmacologic measures are first attempted for many patients, though meds may be needed later; if hypertension is tied to another condition, that would be secondary hypertension; and obesity is a known risk factor, not something that’s not involved.

Primary hypertension is high blood pressure with no single identifiable cause. It’s considered multifactorial, arising from a mix of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors such as excess weight, high sodium intake, physical inactivity, and stress. Because there isn’t a specific disease process to treat, the statement that there is no identifiable cause is true. Management focuses on reducing overall cardiovascular risk through lifestyle changes, and medications may be added if blood pressure remains high despite these measures. The other ideas don’t fit: primary hypertension doesn’t have to be treated with drugs from the start—nonpharmacologic measures are first attempted for many patients, though meds may be needed later; if hypertension is tied to another condition, that would be secondary hypertension; and obesity is a known risk factor, not something that’s not involved.