In the vast majority of cases (>80%), high blood pressure is caused by lifestyle habits such as unhealthy eating patterns, insufficient physical activity, and excessive intake of alcohol.[1] Consequently, there is a direct relationship between increases in body mass index or waist-to-hip ratio and increases in blood pressure.[2] Genetic variants also influence blood pressure, but they only contribute to about 3.5% of the variability in blood pressure between people.[1]
In about 10-20% of cases, high blood pressure is caused by a separate medical condition (e.g., primary aldosteronism, renal artery stenosis, obstructive sleep apnea). Primary aldosteronism is increasingly recognized as an underdiagnosed cause of high blood pressure and may be responsible in up to 10% of cases.[3]
References
- ^Carey RM, Muntner P, Bosworth HB, Whelton PKPrevention and Control of Hypertension: JACC Health Promotion Series.J Am Coll Cardiol.(2018-09-11)
- ^Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, Casey DE, Collins KJ, Dennison Himmelfarb C, DePalma SM, Gidding S, Jamerson KA, Jones DW, MacLaughlin EJ, Muntner P, Ovbiagele B, Smith SC, Spencer CC, Stafford RS, Taler SJ, Thomas RJ, Williams KA, Williamson JD, Wright JT2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation.(2018-10-23)
- ^Rossi GP, Bernini G, Caliumi C, Desideri G, Fabris B, Ferri C, Ganzaroli C, Giacchetti G, Letizia C, Maccario M, Mallamaci F, Mannelli M, Mattarello MJ, Moretti A, Palumbo G, Parenti G, Porteri E, Semplicini A, Rizzoni D, Rossi E, Boscaro M, Pessina AC, Mantero F,A prospective study of the prevalence of primary aldosteronism in 1,125 hypertensive patients.J Am Coll Cardiol.(2006-Dec-05)