IX: Diseases of the circulatory system

I10-I15: Hypertensive diseases

The Hypertensive diseases, classified under I10-I15 in the ICD-10 WHO 2016 classification, represent a group of conditions that have high blood pressure as the core symptom. High blood pressure arises when the force exerted by blood against the walls of your arteries stays high over time, forcing your heart to work harder than usual to circulate your blood. This condition can occur without any clear cause, known as primary or essential hypertension, or can be a result of an underlying illness, termed secondary hypertension. Common conditions causing secondary hypertension include kidney disease, hormonal disorders, or as a side effect of certain medications. Hypertensive diseases can often be 'silent', displaying no symptoms until significant damage has occurred. However, some individuals may experience headaches, fatigue, or dizziness. Over time, if untreated, these diseases can progress leading to severe health problems such as heart disease, stroke, or kidney disease.