What cause of high blood pressure

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, and to the development of heart failure.

What Is "Normal" Blood Pressure?


A blood pressure reading has a top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic). The ranges are:
• Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)
• Prehypertension: 120-139 over 80-89
• Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159 over 90-99
• Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above over 100 and above
• High blood pressure in people over age 60: 150 and above over 90 and above
People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctor about steps to take to lower it.

What Causes of High Blood Pressure

In more than 90% of cases, the cause of high blood pressure (hypertension) is unknown but several factors can increase your risk of developing the condition.

Where there is no specific cause, high blood pressure is referred to by doctors as primary or essential hypertension.

There are two types of high blood pressure

Primary (essential) hypertension

For most adults, there's no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure, called essential hypertension or primary hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years.

In as many as 95% of reported high blood pressure cases in the U.S., the underlying cause cannot be determined. This type of high blood pressure is called essential hypertension.

Though essential hypertension remains somewhat mysterious, it has been linked to certain risk factors. High blood pressure tends to run in families and is more likely to affect men than women. Age and race also play a role. In the United States, blacks are twice as likely as whites to have high blood pressure, although the gap begins to narrow around age 44. After age 65, black women have the highest incidence of high blood pressure.

Essential hypertension is also greatly influenced by diet and lifestyle. The link between salt and high blood pressure is especially compelling. People living on the northern islands of Japan eat more salt per capita than anyone else in the world and have the highest incidence of essential hypertension. By contrast, people who add no salt to their food show virtually no traces of essential hypertension.

Secondary hypertension

About 10% of high blood pressure cases are the result of an underlying condition or cause. These cases are referred to as secondary hypertension.

 

This type of high blood pressure, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:

• Kidney problems

• Adrenal gland tumors

• Thyroid problems

• Certain defects in blood vessels you're born with (congenital)

• Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs

• Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines

• Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol use

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Diabetes

• Hormonal conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome 

• Conditions that affect the body’s tissue, such as lupus

• Oral contraceptive pill

• Painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal methamphetamine herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements.