In 90-95 percent of cases, the cause is unknown. In a small percentage of cases, high blood pressure is indicative of an underlying problem such as a kidney abnormality, a tumor of the adrenal gland, or a congenital defect of the aorta. The American Heart Association estimates that hypertension killed 38,130 Americans in 1994, and contributed to the deaths of more than 180,000. It is a lifetime condition that requires ongoing medical supervision to keep blood pressure under control. If prescribed medicines or lifestyle changes are discontinued, high blood pressure, and its subsequent results, will reoccur.
Lifestyle changes are among the first line of defense against it.
Lowering salt intake, exercising on a regular basis, and eating less may be sufficient to reduce blood pressure to a safe level, and to keep it there. In some instances, you may need to supplement these measures with medications, which your physician will prescribe. Some of these, like diuretics, help rid the system of excess salt. Some, like vasodilators, relax blood vessels . Because individual responses to certain drugs vary, physicians will typically follow a course of trial and error to determine which work best for you.