Primary hypertension
More than 90% of hypertension cases have no known or identifiable cause. This type of hypertension is called primary or essential hypertension.

Secondary hypertension

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In some cases, another disease or a medication may cause hypertension. This is called secondary hypertension. Treating the underlying cause can sometimes cure this type of hypertension. Secondary hypertension may be caused by:

• Kidney problems – these account for a large percentage of secondary hypertension. Normally the kidneys play an important role in fluid and blood pressure control.
• Coarctation of the aorta – an inborn, abnormal narrowing of the primary blood vessel supplying blood to the body from the heart
• Prescription and non-prescription drug usage
• Recreational drug usage - ecstacy and cocaine can cause hypertensive crisis and death
• Excessive alcohol intake – implicated in about 10% of secondary hypertension
• Sleep apnoea – Research indicates a connection between obstructed breathing during sleep and hypertension. The effect persists during the waking hours.
• Pheochromocytoma – a tumour of the adrenal gland (secretes various hormones, including those that affect blood pressure)
• Thyroid dysfunction – both over- and under-performance (hypo- and hyperthyroidism)
• Cushing's syndrome and aldosteronism – disorders of the outer layer of the adrenal gland resulting in various hormonal imbalances.

If hypertension occurs with any of the following factors, it may indicate that the hypertension is secondary:

• Age below 35
• Abrupt onset
• Lack of family history of essential hypertension
• Severity (180/110 mm Hg or higher)
• History of blood vessel disease, such as blockages in arteries in the neck or heart (carotid or coronary arteries)
• Lack of response to usual drug treatment
• Sudden increase of blood pressure that has been controlled by medications (provided you did not stop taking your medications)

Read more:
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