High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls is consistently too high. In most cases, there is no identifiable cause of high blood pressure, which is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It tends to develop gradually over many years, and plaque buildup in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk of high blood pressure. However, there are things that can increase the risk of getting high blood pressure, including:

• Age: The risk of high blood pressure increases with age. Until about age 64, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.

• Stress: High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress-related habits such as eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol can lead to further increases in blood pressure.

• Unhealthy lifestyle choices: Lack of physical activity, being overweight or obese, too much salt in the diet, and too much alcohol consumption can increase the risk of high blood pressure.

• Genetics: Family history of high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition and tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than primary hypertension. Conditions and medicines that can lead to secondary hypertension include:

• Adrenal gland tumors
• Blood vessel problems present at birth, also called congenital heart defects
• Cough and cold medicines, some pain relievers, birth control pills, and other prescription drugs
• Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
• Kidney disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Thyroid problems
• Chronic kidney infections
• Narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys
• Hormone problems such as an underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, Cushings syndrome, acromegaly, increased levels of the hormone aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism), and phaeochromocytoma
• Lupus
• Scleroderma
• Certain medications, including immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, and oral contraceptives (the pill)

In conclusion, high blood pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions. Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce the chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower blood pressure if its already high.