Systemic hypertension is a multifactorial disease.
Hypertension is ranked as the fourth greatest mortality risk factor in the world. It is defined as a state of persistent elevated pressure above 140/90 mm of Hg on two or more blood pressure recordings.

Hypertension may be divided into primary and secondary.
. Primary (or essential) hypertension means exact cause is unknown & it comes as a part of aging process. It is by far the most common type, representing more than 90% of cases.
. Secondary hypertension may be iatrogenic (oral contraceptives, steroid therapy) or may be caused by renal parenchymal disease, renal artery stenosis, and endocrine causes

Hypertensive retinopathy is a well-known condition. Hypertension can cause retinal artery & vein occlusion. In grade 3 "Hypertensive retinopathy", one sees a lot of hemorrhages in fundus while in grade 4 "Hypertensive retinopathy", optic disc edema also develops.

Choroidopathy in malignant hypertension may affect visual function permanently but may also in part be related to two other factors, the compromised circulation of the optic nerve and maculopathy in the form of extensive macular exudates. The fundus changes may be the reflections of changes that are going on in other organs of the body like heart, brain and the kidneys.

DM & HT are 2 enemies which once enter our body will remain for whole life. There is no cure. We can only control HT & DM. It is also the most important risk factor for cerebral vascular disease. The mortality and morbidity associated with hypertension also include renal and ophthalmic end-organ damage. HT can cause ischemic heart disease(IHD) & cardiac failure.
Hypertension patient can develop sudden cerebrovascular attacks(stroke).Sudden reduction of blood pressure through the administration of multiple antihypertensive medications may result in hypoperfusion and ischemic injury to susceptible tissues