Blood pressure (high) - 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.

Factors that can raise your risk of developing primary hypertension include:

• age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
• a family history of high blood pressure (the condition seems to run in families)
• being of African or Caribbean origin
• a high amount of salt in your food 
• a lack of exercise
• being overweight or obese
• smoking 
• drinking large amounts of alcohol

Known causes

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

Common causes of secondary hypertension include:

• kidney disease
• diabetes
• narrowing of the arteries (large blood vessels) supplying the kidneys
• hormonal conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome 
• conditions that affect the body’s tissue, such as lupus
• oral contraceptive pill
• painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
• recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal methamphetamine
• herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements

Find out about how to get your blood pressure tested.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a hormone produced at times of stress that affects heart rate, blood circulation and other functions of the body.

Genetic

Genetic is a term that refers to genes- the characteristics inherited from a family member.

Heart attacks

A heart attack happens when there is a blockage in one of the arteries in the heart.

Kidney

Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located at the back of the abdomen, which remove waste and extra fluid from the blood and pass them out of the body as urine.

Origin

The origin is the place where something begins.