The Causes of High Blood Pressure
The cause of about 92,5% of the cases is unidentifiable, according to the American Heart Association, for the most common kind of hypertension, also known as essential or primary hypertension, which has a gradual and extended -over many years evolution.
A latent disease is the cause for the rest of the cases, pertaining to the secondary hypertension type. This kind determines a higher pressure of the blood than the essential hypertension. Abnormalities of the kidneys, adrenal gland tumors, or congenital defects of the heart are only a few examples from the vast gallery of diseases that may determine secondary hypertension.
There are also medicines proved to cause the secondary type of hypertension, such as medicines for cold, birth control pills, some pain relievers, decongestants or even some prescription drugs.
A study performed in 2005 has shown that women, which were administered more than 500 mg of acetaminophen every day (Tylenol, for example) were much more at risk for the development of hypertension than those who were not on acetaminophen treatments. The results are unknown in the case of men.
. The blood pressure can also be increased by illegal drugs, like cocaine or amphetamine.