Hypertension, or high blood pressure, results from the blood pushing against the arteries with more pressure than normal. Most people who are hypertensive have blood pressure readings where either the diastolic number is 90 or higher, while the systolic reading is 140 or higher. However, some providers regard readings between 130/80 and 139/89 to be hypertensive if patients have other heart risk factors present.
Primary hypertension is the most common of the two main types of hypertension. It develops over time in people as they age and does not have a specific cause. It’s believed that diet, lifestyle, age, and genetics play a role in the development of primary hypertension. The condition has been linked to lifestyle factors, like having too much alcohol and stress. Altering lifestyle can prevent the development of primary hypertension and minimize the risk of hypertension-related complications.
Roughly 5 to 10 percent of hypertension cases are secondary hypertension cases. Secondary hypertension is more prevalent in younger people and is potentially reversible if the cause of the hypertension is identified and controlled. With this type of hypertension, there is an underlying cause of the condition, including hormone abnormalities, adrenal gland disease, or narrowing of the arteries going from the heart to the kidneys.
