What Causes
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There are two types of high blood pressure, primary hypertension (sometimes called essential hypertension) and secondary hypertension. Up to 95 percent of cases are primary hypertension cases without identifiable causes.
The other five to ten percent are secondary, often caused by an underlying condition. Secondary hypertension appears suddenly, usually unexpectedly even in healthy people. Those with secondary hypertension generally have a higher blood pressure than those with primary hypertension. Several known conditions can cause secondary hypertension. The following are some of the reasons for high blood pressure.
- Tumors on the adrenal gland can lead to hypertension
- Abnormalities within the kidneys
- Some types of congenital heart defects
- Illegal drug use, especially use of amphetamines and cocaine
- Some types of medications including birth control pills, decongestants, cold remedies, some types of over the counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs
- High sodium intake.
Finding Your Cause
If you have high blood pressure and are unsure of the cause, speak with your doctor about the condition. In some situations, speculation can help determine the actual cause. For example, doctors believe that people who eat a diet rich in fat and lack good exercise habits are more likely to develop hypertension. Doctors may be able to pinpoint what could have lead to the onset of your high blood pressure. Does high blood pressure cause lifestyle changes? It most cases, it should.What You Should Do
Some people are more at risk for the development of high blood pressure than others are. To know if you are at risk, speak with your doctor. Know what health risks you have, such as health conditions or lifestyle choices that could lead to the development of high blood pressure. In addition, if you have a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease, get regular checkups. The most successful treatments for high blood pressure, either systolic or diastolic, are those that are undertaken sooner rather than later.When the question asked is, what causes high blood pressure, the answers are not always easy to spot. Yet, doctors do know how to treat this condition successfully in most situations. If you may be at risk, doctor monitoring is the best method to overcoming the condition.
