The diagnosis is made when no other cause is found. Secondary hypertension is caused by some other medical diagnosis or problem, such as kidney disease, Cushing's syndrome, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, chronic alcohol abuse, or the use of certain medications. There are several factors that put people at risk for hypertension. Gender, age, heredity, and race are factors that cannot be controlled. As people age, their chances of developing hypertension increase.
Men are generally at greater risk than women.
However, as women age, their risk increases with the onset of menopause, and later in life it exceeds that of men. Heredity can be a risk factor if one or more parents have been diagnosed with hypertension. African Americans are at higher risk for contracting hypertension than Caucasians are. According to the journal Ethn. Disease Symptoms Hypertension usually has no evident symptoms.