This form of high blood pressure is called 'primary' or 'essential' hypertension. It may be due to narrowing of the arteries, changes in blood volume, or the heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should. Sometimes high blood pressure is due to a disease or illness. When this is the cause, it is referred to as 'secondary hypertension'. Treating the disease may improve or cure the high blood pressure.
Some people are at greater risk of developing hypertension than others.
These include older people, people with a family history of hypertension, and people who are overweight. Smoking, high cholesterol, high fat and salt intake, high alcohol intake, and too little exercise can contribute to high blood pressure or make its effects more serious. High blood pressure can develop as a result of almost all kidney diseases. It can also be caused by renal artery stenosis - narrowing of the main artery to one or both kidneys. In addition, salt and fluid retention in a person with kidney failure can cause high blood pressure.