When the causes of hypertension are unknown, this is called primary hypertension. When the causes are known -- such as preeclampsia, kidney disease, or certain medicines -- it is called secondary hypertension. Although not hypertension causes themselves, risk factors (such as being overweight) can increase a person's chances of developing the condition.
Causes of Hypertension: An Overview
Hypertension is the medical term for
high blood pressure. In most people, the actual cause of their hypertension is not known. This is called primary, or essential, hypertension. In some people, the cause of their high
blood pressure is the result of another medical problem or medication. In these cases, the condition is referred to as secondary hypertension.
If a person is diagnosed with hypertension, it doesn't mean that he or she is "too nervous," overanxious, or obsessive. High blood pressure is not nervous tension. In fact, many people who are perfectly calm have high blood pressure.
Primary Hypertension Causes
In 9 out of 10 people, there is no identifiable cause of high blood pressure.
This is called "primary hypertension" or "essential hypertension." Most people with primary hypertension don't even realize that they have it; the majority of people with this type of high blood pressure feel no different from those who have
normal blood pressure. That's why hypertension is often referred to as "the silent killer."
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