Causes and Symptoms What causes high blood pressure?

For 85% to 95% of people with high blood pressure, the cause of their high blood pressure is not known. Called primary hypertension, this condition probably results from a variety of causes.1

Risk factors

Age and Sex. The risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you age. Most cases of high blood pressure are diagnosed in men, until the age of 45. From age 45 to 54, men and women are equally at risk for high blood pressure. After the age of 54, women are actually more likely to have high blood pressure than men.2 This may suggest that estrogen has a protective role in blood pressure. It is thought that estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible. Estrogen may also work with other hormones to reduce the risk of high blood pressure in younger women.3

Family History. People with relatives who have high blood pressure are more likely to develop high blood pressure.4

Ethnicity. People of African American and Native American ethnicity have very high rates of high blood pressure, and the situation appears to be a growing problem. Compared with Caucasians, African Americans develop hypertension earlier in life, and their average blood pressures are much higher.2

Diet. People who regularly eat foods that are high in salt are more susceptible to high blood pressure.4

Obesity. People who are overweight are at risk for many illnesses, including high blood pressure.5

Stress. Studies have shown that people with heightened anxiety, intense anger, and suppressed expression of anger were more at risk of developing high blood pressure.6