essential hypertension

high BLOOD PRESSURE with no identifiable cause. ARTERIOSCLEROSIS is a complication of, and often associated with, essential hypertension. Other complications include cerebral HAEMORRHAGE , HEART FAILURE and KIDNEY failure. There are now several drugs that reduce blood pressure, including BETA BLOCKERS and METHYLDOPA . Lifestyle is an important factor for some sufferers: excessive weight should be lost, excess salt intake avoided and strain of all types lessened. See also HYPERTENSION .