In many people with high blood pressure, a single specific cause is not known. This is called essential or primary high blood pressure. Research is continuing to find causes.
In some people, high blood pressure is the result of another medical problem or medication. When the cause is known, this is called secondary high blood pressure.
About 65 million American adults--nearly 1 in 3--have high blood pressure.
In the U.S., high blood pressure occurs more often in African Americans. Compared to other groups, blacks:
- Tend to get high blood pressure earlier in life
- Usually have more severe high blood pressures
- Have a higher death rate from stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
Many people get high blood pressure as they get older. Over half of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure. This is not a part of healthy aging! There are things you can do to help keep your blood pressure normal, such as eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise.
Your chances of getting high blood pressure are also higher if you:
- Are overweight
- Are a man over the age of 45
- Are a woman over the age of 55
- Have a family history of high blood pressure
- Have a "prehypertension (120-139/80-89)"
Other things that can raise blood pressure include:
- Eating too much salt
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Not eating enough potassium
- Not exercising
- Taking certain medicines
- Stress that is long-lasting
