blood pressure

Skip to content
Enter Search Keywords. Use the arrow keys to navigate suggestions.
Symptoms|Doctors|Health Care Reform
•Health A-Z
•Drugs & Supplements
•Living Healthy
•Family & Pregnancy
•News & Experts

My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Why WebMD?
FacebookTwitterPinterest



WebMD HomeHeart Health Center Hypertension / High Blood Pressure Health Center Hypertension / High Blood Pressure Guide

Email a Friend
Save

Print Article



Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Health Center




Tools & Resources
•Exercise Tips to Lower BP
•Are You At Risk for Diabetes?
•24 Foods to Help Your Heart
•Slim Down, Track Sodium
•BP & ED: What's the Link?
•Help for Dry Mouth







Causes of High Blood Pressure



Share this:

Font size:
AAA
What causes 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
People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctor about steps to take to lower it.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development, including:
•Smoking
•Being overweight or obese
•Lack of physical activity
•Too much salt in the diet
•Too much alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)
•Stress
•Older age
•Genetics
•Family history of high blood pressure
•Chronic kidney disease
•Adrenal and thyroid disorders




Essential Hypertension
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.
The majority of all people with high blood pressure are "salt sensitive," meaning that anything more than the minimal bodily need for salt is too much for them and increases their blood pressure. Other factors that can raise the risk of having essential hypertension include obesity; diabetes; stress; insufficient intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium; lack of physical activity; and chronic alcohol consumption.
Secondary Hypertension
When a direct cause for high blood pressure can be identified, the condition is described as secondary hypertension. Among the known causes of secondary hypertension, kidney disease ranks highest. Hypertension can also be triggered by tumors or other abnormalities that cause the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop the kidneys) to secrete excess amounts of the hormones that elevate blood pressure. Birth control pills -- specifically those containing estrogen -- and pregnancy can boost blood pressure, as can medications that constrict blood vessels.


1|2
Next Page >


WebMD Medical Reference


 Next Article:

Hypertension / High Blood Pressure Guide

1
Overview & Facts
2
Symptoms & Types
3
Diagnosis & Tests

4
Treatment & Care
5
Living & Managing
6
Resources & Tools








•Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Health Home
•News
•Reference
•Videos
•Community
•Find a Doctor
•Medications

Hypertension / High Blood Pressure Guide

1
Overview & Facts
2
Symptoms & Types
3
Diagnosis & Tests
4
Treatment & Care
5
Living & Managing
6
Resources & Tools





Related to Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
•Atherosclerosis
•Cholesterol Management
•Dental Care and Hypertension
•Drug Interaction Checker
•Fitness & Exercise
•Heart Disease
•Living Healthy
•Metabolic Syndrome
•Nutrition for Hypertension
•Sleep Problems
•Stroke











Today on WebMD

HEALTH CHECK
Are You At Risk for Diabetes?

TOOL
Hypertension Harming Your Sex Life?


TOOL
Track the Sodium In Your Diet

Slideshow
Foods That Can Save Your Heart










Tool
Worried About Hypertension? Assess Yourself

VIDEO
Smarter Snacks for Weight Loss


Slideshow
Simple Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Slideshow
Inside a Heart Attack





Evaluator
Health Insurance Quick-Start Guide

Evaluator
Find the Best Health Insurance Plan for You


Tool
Men: Hypertension Harming Your Sex Life?

Tool
New! Drug Interaction Checker




Subscribe
to WebMD Newsletters


HypertensionHeart HealthCholesterol ManagementWomen's Health
I have read and agree to WebMD's Privacy Policy.Sign up for more topics!



WebMD Special Sections

•Medication Safety When You Have High Blood Pressure
•Know Your Treatment Options






Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
•Blood Sugar Problems?
•Testosterone Treatment
•Bent Fingers?
•Help for ED
•Insulin Options
•Low T Medication
•Help for Low T
•Learn About Triglycerides
•Erectile Dysfunction?
•Monitoring RA Symptoms
•Diabetes Help Center
•Testosterone Checkup
•Knee Pain?
•ED Tablet
•Rheumatoid Arthritis?


More From WebMD:
Fight Cold & Flu|RA Basics|Ulcerative Colitis Diet|Crohn's Disease|Atrial Fibrillation Assessment|Low Testosterone|Joint Replacement|HIV Myths

Find us on:
•
•
•
URAC: Accredited Health Web Site
HonCode: Health on the Net FoundationAdChoices
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
Medscape Reference eMedicineHealth RxList Medscape MedicineNet BootsWebMD WebMD Corporate
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory

©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.