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What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Many factors such as family history and poor diet and exercise habits contribute to the incidence of high blood pressure. In addition, certain medicines and kidney/endocrine disorders can also cause high blood pressure. 2

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For most people with high blood pressure, doctors are unable to find out what's causing it. They call this type of high blood pressure "essential hypertension" or "primary hypertension."

Drugs can raise your blood pressure:3

Some over-the-counter and prescription medicines may raise blood pressure or interfere with drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any medicines you currently are on. Some of these medicines may include:

  • Birth control pills
  • Corticosteroids
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)
  • Nasal decongestants and other cold remedies
  • Diet pills
  • Cyclosporine
  • Erythropoeitin
  • Antidepressants (such as tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

Next: risk factors for high blood pressure

References

1. American Heart Association. What Causes High Blood Pressure? Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2152. Accessed May 28, 2008.

2. American Heart Association. Am I at Risk? Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2142. Accessed October 21, 2008.

3. American Heart Association. Control Your Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=581. Accessed May 28, 2008.


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