What causes hypertension?
In about 90 to 95% of the cases, the cause of hypertension is unknown and is more commonly referred to as essential hypertension. In the remaining 5 to 10% of cases, the cause is related to another condition such as kidney disease, a congenital abnormality of the aorta, or a tumor. Am I at risk for developing hypertension? Anyone can be at risk for developing high blood pressure, but there are certain factors that can put you at a higher risk than the general population. • Genetics: If you have relatives that suffer from high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop hypertension yourself. • Race: African Americans are at an increased risk of developing hypertension when compared to Caucasians. Hypertension in African Americans also tends to occur at an earlier age and be more severe. • Age: As you age, your arteries become stiffer, and this stiffening can lead to high blood pressure. Estrogen has a protective effect with regards to hypertension, so women who are pre-menopausal ar
