The causes of high blood pressure vary. Causes may include narrowing of the arteries, a greater than normal volume of blood, or the heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should. Any of these conditions will cause increased pressure against the artery walls. High blood pressure might also be caused by another medical problem. Most of the time, the cause is not known. Although high blood pressure usually cannot be cured, in most cases it can be prevented and controlled.
In 90 to 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, doctors do not know what causes it. High blood pressure with an unknown cause is called essential, or primary, hypertension.
Sometimes, an underlying disease or other condition is found to be the cause of the high blood pressure. This type, called secondary hypertension, only occurs in 5 to 10 percent of people with hypertension.
Causes of secondary hypertension include:
* Renal Pertaining to kidneys (kidney) disorders, such as:
o Renal vascular disease Also called renovascular disease; includes problems with blood flow to the kidneys - A disease involving the kidneys' blood vessels
o Renal parenchymal disease Disease affecting the parenchyma (connective tissue) of the kidneys - A variety of diseases involving kidney tissue
In 90 to 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, doctors do not know what causes it. High blood pressure with an unknown cause is called essential, or primary, hypertension.
Sometimes, an underlying disease or other condition is found to be the cause of the high blood pressure. This type, called secondary hypertension, only occurs in 5 to 10 percent of people with hypertension.
Causes of secondary hypertension include:
* Renal Pertaining to kidneys (kidney) disorders, such as:
o Renal vascular disease Also called renovascular disease; includes problems with blood flow to the kidneys - A disease involving the kidneys' blood vessels
o Renal parenchymal disease Disease affecting the parenchyma (connective tissue) of the kidneys - A variety of diseases involving kidney tissue
