Causes of high blood pressure

In most cases, there isn’t a specific reason for the cause of high blood pressure, but most people develop it because of their diet, lifestyle or medical condition.

You might be more at risk if you:

• are over the age of 65
• have someone in your family with high blood pressure
• are someone who smokes
• drink too much alcohol
• eat too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables
• don’t get enough exercise
• are overweight, especially around your mid-section.

People living in deprived areas are also at higher risk of having high blood pressure, as well as people who are of black African or black Caribbean descent. Changes in your diet and increasing activity levels will help improve your blood pressure.

For some people, a cause of high blood pressure is found. This is known as ‘secondary hyper

tension’.

Examples of secondary hypertension include:

• kidney disease
• diabetes
• a condition called obstructive sleep apnoea, which can lead to disturbed sleep
• some medicines, such as oral contraceptives
• some over-the-counter and herbal medicines.

If you are worried that any medicine or remedy might affect your blood pressure, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.

Visit the NHS website  for more information about the causes of secondary hypertension.