Written by Hypertension is a medical condition in which the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is too high. This can damage your arteries over time and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
High blood pressure is often called “the silent killer” because it often has no symptoms. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, even if you feel healthy.
There are two types of hypertension: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is the most common type and is not caused by any underlying medical condition. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or sleep apnea.
In the context of your question, “hypertension due to high blood pressure” refers to secondary hypertension. This means that the high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition.
Some of the most common causes of secondary hypertension include:
- Kidney disease: Kidney disease can damage the kidneys and make it difficult for them to remove excess water and salt from the body. This can lead to high blood pressure.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and make it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar levels. This can also lead to high blood pressure.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. This can disrupt the body’s natural production of hormones that regulate blood pressure.
- Thyroid problems: Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism, can cause high blood pressure.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as steroids, can cause high blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause. If your high blood pressure is caused by an underlying medical condition, your doctor will treat the underlying condition to help lower your blood pressure.
In addition to treating the underlying medical condition, there are also lifestyle changes that you can make to help lower your blood pressure. These include:
- Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Limiting your salt intake
- Not smoking
- Limiting your alcohol intake
- Taking medications, if prescribed by your doctor
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and to follow your doctor’s instructions for lifestyle changes. By taking these steps, you can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.