The main reasons why blood pressure can be high include a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and medical factors. There are two broad categories of high blood pressure causes: Primary (essential) hypertension: This is the most common type where high blood pressure develops slowly over time with no single identifiable cause. It often runs in families and is influenced by unhealthy lifestyle habits such as eating a diet high in salt, being overweight or obese, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress. Aging and race (higher risk among Black people) also contribute to elevated blood pressure. Secondary hypertension: This is high blood pressure caused by an underlying health condition or specific factors such as kidney disease, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, adrenal gland disorders, certain medications (e.g., birth control pills, decongestants), illegal drugs like cocaine, and congenital heart conditions. In these cases, treating the underlying condition or stopping the medication may reduce blood pressure. In brief, high blood pressure is often due to a mix of genetics and lifestyle, but specific medical conditions or medications can also cause it to rise. Common risk factors include:
- Older age
- Family history of high blood pressure
- High salt diet
- Overweight or obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Stress
- Certain chronic conditions like kidney disease and sleep apnea
If concerned about high blood pressure, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to identify the cause and appropriate treatment.
