Causes of High Blood Pressure

For the majority of people with high blood pressure, the cause is unknown. Narrowing of the arteries, a greater than normal volume of blood, or the heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should, will cause increased pressure against the artery walls. Why this occurs in some people may not be clearly understood.

Less than ten percent of cases of high blood pressure are caused by other medical problems or illnesses. This type of high blood pressure is often temporary, and cured when the original medical problem is corrected.