If a patient is diagnosed with secondary hypertension this means that the
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is classified as "essential" (primary) or "secondary.” Essential hypertension does not have an apparent cause. It may be due to such things as family history or lifestyle. Most people with
high blood pressure have essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension, which happens in about 10% of people with high blood pressure, is less common and is the result of another condition, such as: After
you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may do other tests such as blood and urine screening to make sure you don't have secondary hypertension. In order to treat secondary hypertension, your doctor will address the underlying condition or disorder. When the root cause of secondary hypertension is
treated, blood pressure usually lowers or returns to normal. In cases where narrowed arteries are the cause of high blood pressure (coarctation, narrowed kidney arteries) you may need surgery. Your doctor may also choose to treat you with blood pressure drugs in addition to addressing the underlying health issues. Secondary high blood pressure (secondary hypertension) is high blood pressure that's caused by another medical condition. It can be caused by conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system. Secondary hypertension can also occur during pregnancy. Secondary hypertension differs from the usual type of high blood pressure (primary hypertension or essential hypertension), which is often called simply high blood pressure. Proper
treatment of secondary hypertension can often control both the high blood pressure and the condition that causes it. Effective treatment reduces the risk of serious complications — including heart disease, kidney failure and stroke. Like primary hypertension, secondary hypertension usually has no specific symptoms, even if blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels. For people diagnosed with high blood pressure, having any of these signs
may mean the condition is secondary hypertension: If you have a condition that can cause secondary hypertension, you may need your blood pressure checked more frequently. Ask your health care provider how often to have your blood pressure checked. CausesMany health conditions can cause secondary hypertension. Several kidney diseases may cause secondary hypertension, including:
Medical conditions affecting hormone levels also may cause secondary hypertension. These conditions include:
Other possible causes of secondary hypertension include:
Risk factorsThe greatest risk factor for developing secondary hypertension is having a medical condition that can cause high blood pressure, such as kidney, artery, heart or endocrine system problems. ComplicationsSecondary hypertension can worsen the underlying medical condition that's causing the high blood pressure. Without treatment, secondary hypertension can lead to other health problems, such as:
DiagnosisTo diagnose secondary hypertension, a health care provider will take a blood pressure reading using an inflatable cuff. A care provider might not diagnose secondary hypertension based on a single high blood pressure reading. It may take 3 to 6 high blood pressure measurements at separate appointments to diagnose secondary hypertension. Home blood pressure monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring might make up some of these readings. With ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a device takes blood pressure measurements automatically at specific times throughout the day. Other tests to help pinpoint the cause of the high blood pressure might include:
TreatmentTreatment for secondary hypertension involves treating the medical condition that's causing it with medications or surgery. Once the condition is treated, blood pressure might decrease or return to normal. Treatment might require continuing to take blood pressure medication, as well. The underlying medical condition might affect this choice of medication. Possible drug choices include:
Treatment for secondary hypertension can sometimes be complicated. It might take more than one medication combined with lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure. Your health care provider will want to see you more often — possibly as often as once a month — until your blood pressure is controlled. Your provider may also recommend that you keep track of your blood pressure at home. Lifestyle and home remediesHealthy lifestyle changes are recommended to keep the heart healthy and blood pressure low. These include:
Preparing for an appointmentHigh blood pressure may be discovered during a routine physical. At that point, your primary care provider may order more tests or refer you to a provider who specializes in treating the suspected cause of your high blood pressure. For example, if your provider believes that a kidney problem is causing your high blood pressure, you'll likely be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating kidney disorders (nephrologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can do
For secondary hypertension, some basic questions to ask include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions. What to expect from your doctorYour provider is likely to ask you questions, including:
Last Updated: August 9th, 2022 © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. What is the most common cause of secondary hypertension?Recent findings: Recent studies pointed that the most common causes of secondary hypertension are those who overall responses to their treatments do not promote hypertension remission including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic kidney disease, renovascular hypertension and primary aldosteronism.
How do you diagnose secondary hypertension?To diagnose secondary hypertension, a health care provider will take a blood pressure reading using an inflatable cuff. A care provider might not diagnose secondary hypertension based on a single high blood pressure reading.
Which if the following symptoms may indicate that the patient has hypertension?Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure. Often, these are late signs that high blood pressure has existed for some time, therefore annual checks are recommended for all adults.
Which of the following conditions can cause secondary hypertension?Across all adult ages, renovascular hypertension, renal disease, aldosteronism, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represent the most common causes of secondary hypertension.
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