High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. The following are some of the factors that can cause high blood pressure:

• Unhealthy lifestyle choices: Not getting enough regular physical activity, eating a diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, smoking, and having a lot of stress can all increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.

• Underlying health conditions: Certain health conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, long-term kidney infections, lupus, and scleroderma, can cause high blood pressure.

• Medications: Some medications, such as the contraceptive pill, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and some pharmacy cough and cold remedies, can increase blood pressure.

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

• Age: The risk of high blood pressure increases with age.

• Race: People of black African or black Caribbean descent are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

• Other factors: Obesity, insufficient intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, sleep apnea, and certain congenital heart defects can also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.

It is important to note that in most cases, there is no identifiable cause of high blood pressure, and this type of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension.