There are two types of high blood pressure:

• essential (or primary) high blood pressure – where there is no identifiable cause, and
• secondary high blood pressure – where high blood pressure is the result of an underlying cause, such as kidney disease, or a particular type of medication that you are taking.

Essential high blood pressure

While the cause of essential high blood pressure remains unknown, there is compelling evidence to show that there are number of risk factors which increase your chances of developing the condition. These risk factors include:

• age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older,
• a family history of high blood pressure – the condition seems to run in families,
• being of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin,
• obesity,
• lack of exercise,
• smoking,
• excessive alcohol consumption,
• high amount of salt in your diet,
• high fat diet, and
• stress.

A number of other medical conditions have also been linked to an increase chance in developing essential high blood pressure, such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Secondary high blood pressure

A small amount of cases of high blood pressure (approximately 5%) are the result of an underlying condition or cause. These include:

• kidney conditions, such as a kidney infection, or kidney disease,
• narrowing of the arteries,
• hormonal conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome (a condition where your body produces an excess of steroid hormones),
• conditions affecting the tissue of the body, such as lupus (a condition where your immune system attacks healthy tissue),
• medicines, such as the oral contraceptive pill, or the type of painkillers known as nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen,
• excessive alcohol consumption, and
• illegal stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamine and crystal meth

Diagnosing high blood pressure 

1. Sphygmomanometer

Blood pressure is often measured using a device known as a sphygmomanometer. This device uses an inflatable cuff, and has a scale of mercury like a thermometer.

The cuff is pumped up to restrict the flow of blood in your arm, before slowly being released. The person checking your blood pressure will use a stethoscope to listen to your pulse.

Hearing how your pulse reacts after the cuff is released allows a measurement to be taken on the scale of mercury, giving an accurate reading of your blood pressure.

Many doctors surgeries now use a digital sphygmomanometer, where your pulse is measured using electrical sensors. Blood pressure testing kits are also commercially available.

2. Checking your blood pressure

Having one high reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day, and if you feel anxious or stressed when you visit your doctor, it may lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Therefore, your doctor will need to take several readings over a set period of time, usually every month, to see if your blood pressure level is consistently high.

Blood and urine tests may also be carried out in order to check for any condition known to cause a rise in blood pressure, such as a kidney infection.

You may also be given a blood pressure kit to take home with you so that you can monitor your levels throughout the day.

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