High blood pressure

Causes

In most cases, it's not clear exactly what causes high blood pressure (hypertension). But there are several things that can increase your risk.

Who's at risk of high blood pressure?

Factors that can raise your risk of developing high blood pressure include:

age the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
a family history of high blood pressure
being of African or Caribbean origin
a high amount of salt in your food
a lack of exercise
being overweight or Obesity
regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
smoking
long-term sleep deprivation

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help keep your blood pressure at a normal level.

Known causes of high blood pressure

In about 1 in 20 cases, high blood pressure occurs as the result of an underlying condition, medication or drug.

Conditions that can cause high blood pressureinclude:

kidney disease
diabetes
long-term kidney infections
obstructive sleep apnoea a condition in which the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing
glomerulonephritis damage to the tiny filters insidethe kidneys
narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys
hormone problems such as an underactive thyroid , an overactive thyroid , Cushing's syndrome , acromegaly , increased levels of the hormone aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism) and phaeochromocytoma
lupus a condition in which the immune system attacksparts of the body such as the skin, joints and organs
scleroderma a condition thatcauses thickenedskin, and sometimes problems with organs and blood vessels

Medicines and drugs that can increase your blood pressure include:

the combined oral contraceptive pill
steroid medication
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
someover-the-counter cough and cold remedies
some herbal remedies particularly those containingliquorice
some recreational drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines
some selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) antidepressants such as venlafaxine

In these cases, your blood pressure may return to normal once you stop taking the medicine or drug.

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.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 30 Nov 2016

Articles for high blood pressure

Introduction

High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.

Causes

In most cases, it's not clear exactly what causes high blood pressure (hypertension). But there are several things that can increase your risk. In about 1 in 20 cases, high blood pressure occurs as the result of an underlying condition, medication or drug.

Diagnosis

High blood pressure (hypertension) doesn't usually have any symptoms, so the only way to find out if you have it is to get your blood pressure checked. Healthy adults aged over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years. Blood pressure tests can also be carried out at home using your own digital blood pressure monitor.

Treatment

Simple lifestyle changes can often help reduce high blood pressure (hypertension), although some people may need to take medication as well. Your GP can advise you about changes you can make to your lifestyle and discuss whether they think you would benefit from medication.

Prevention

High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which will also help lower your blood pressure,

Patient story: "My diet and lack of exercise contributed greatly to my stroke."

Andy Jones liked to eat a lot of salt with his food. Whatever he ate, whether it was a Chinese takeaway or fish and chips, Andy would always add plenty of seasoning which had raised his blood pressure to dangerous levels. High blood pressure caused his arteries to fur up and put extra strain on his heart.

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