In this in-depth podcast, cardiologist Dr. Craig Walker provides a thorough overview of high blood pressure (hypertension) - one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Walker explains what blood pressure is and why it's important to control. He discusses the various causes of high blood pressure, including both primary (essential) hypertension as well as secondary causes related to underlying medical conditions. Dr. Walker stresses the importance of evaluating patients to determine if high blood pressure has a reversible medical cause. He also covers the risks of uncontrolled high blood pressure, symptoms of hypertensive crisis, lifestyle factors like salt intake, and non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment approaches. This educational podcast is ideal for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of high blood pressure from a cardiologist's perspective.

Key points discussed in the podcast:

• Definition of blood pressure and the two numbers typically reported
• Normal blood pressure ranges and the goal of having the lowest possible blood pressure without symptoms
• Primary/essential vs secondary causes of high blood pressure
• Examples of secondary causes like renal artery stenosis, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, coarctation of the aorta
• Risks of uncontrolled high blood pressure like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney damage
• Evaluation steps the cardiologist takes when a patient presents with high blood pressure, including checking for secondary causes
• Hypertensive crisis and the need to rapidly lower blood pressure in symptomatic patients
• Importance of medications that don't interfere with treating an underlying secondary cause
• Role of salt/sodium intake and how it can raise blood pressure by increasing fluid retention

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