The hormones control the diameter of the arteries and thereby control the pressure in the arteries. Approximately 5 percent of all cases of hypertension are due to treatable or reversible causes, including some hormone imbalances or kidney problems. But 95 percent of all high blood pressure is without identifiable cause and is referred to as essential hypertension. Hypertension usually causes no symptoms for many years. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure measured by a physician at least once every year.
Severe hypertension can cause morning headaches, dizziness, or chest pain, among other symptoms.
If your blood pressure is high, your doctor will ask you to come in again for further measurements. If three or more blood pressure readings on different days are high, you probably have hypertension. Treatment depends on how high your blood pressure is and the degree of risk you have for the complications of the disorder. The goals of treatment are to lower your blood pressure to a level as near normal as possible to reduce risk of complications. High blood pressure will not kill you, but its complications can.