What type of hypertension is often associated with central adiposity?

Prepare for the ITE Board General Internal Medicine test. Utilize structured study resources, flashcards, and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ensure exam success!

Essential hypertension, also known as primary hypertension, is the correct answer because it is the most common form of hypertension and is often linked to a range of risk factors, including central adiposity or visceral fat accumulation. Central adiposity is closely related to metabolic syndrome, which encompasses a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The presence of excess abdominal fat is known to contribute to insulin resistance, inflammation, and changes in blood vessel function, all of which can lead to elevated blood pressure.

In contrast, secondary hypertension arises from specific, identifiable causes such as kidney disease or hormonal disorders, and while it can be associated with lifestyle factors including obesity, it is not specifically tied to central adiposity in the way that essential hypertension is. Isolated systolic hypertension typically occurs in older adults and is characterized by an elevated systolic blood pressure with a normal diastolic pressure; it is less about body fat distribution and more about age-related changes in vascular stiffness. Resistant hypertension refers to high blood pressure that does not respond to treatment, which can occur in individuals with a variety of risk factors, including obesity, but again does not specifically highlight the link between hypertension and central adiposity like essential hypertension does.

Thus, essential

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