What Causes High Blood Pressure? -- Secondary Hypertension
In just 1 out of 10 people, the cause of
high blood pressure is known. This is called secondary
hypertension. Conditions that can cause secondary hypertension include:
- Preeclampsia
- Pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland)
- Aldosteronism (a condition in which adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone)
- Hypothyroidism (the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones)
- Hyperthyroidism (the thyroid produces an excess of hormones)
- Hyperparathyroidism (excessive production of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands)
- Acromegaly (a metabolic disorder caused by too much growth hormone)
- Kidney disease (such as polycystic kidney disease or glomerulonephritis)
- Sleep apnea
- Certain medicines, such as birth control pills
- Coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aorta)
- Cushing's syndrome (a hormonal disorder).
What Causes High Blood Pressure? -- Know the Risk Factors
While not specific high
blood pressure causes, there are certain factors that can increase a person's chance of developing high blood pressure. These factors are known as high blood pressure risk factors and include:
- Being of African-American descent
- Being overweight
- Having diabetes
- Being a male over the age of 45 or a female over the age of 55
- Eating a lot of salty foods.
Although more men have high blood pressure than women, women do increase their risk of hypertension if they take birth control pills.
What Causes High Blood Pressure to Worsen?
High blood pressure can be made worse by different things. A few factors that can cause high blood pressure to get worse include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- A lack of exercise
- Prolonged and poorly managed stress
- A diet high in fat and/or salt.
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