Causes of Chronic Hypertension

Chronic hypertension means having high blood pressure over a long period.
Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers. The top number represents the systolic pressure: the pressure of the bloodstream against the cardiac arteries when the heart is beating. The bottom number represents the diastolic pressure: the pressure against the cardiac arteries between heartbeats. If you have chronic hypertension, you will generally have a systolic number above 140 and a diastolic number above 90; ideal blood pressure is 120/80.
Chronic hypertension may lead to devastating problems such as heart disease and strokes.

Primary Hypertension

• According to the Mayo Clinic, about 95 percent of people with hypertension have primary or "essential" hypertension, which usually develops slowly over a long period. This type of hypertension generally has no single cause, but you can stay aware of things that contribute to its development.

Excess Salt and Water

• If you have a high-sodium diet or don't have enough potassium in your body to control sodium levels, you may have too much salt or sodium in your body. You need sodium to help balance your body fluids, pass on nerve impulses and aid in muscle contractions; however, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure. Sodium carries water, so more sodium means more fluid flowing through the bloodstream. The higher blood volume makes the heart pump more vigorously, which increases blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic reports that you should eat between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams of sodium each day.

Hormone Imbalance

• The renin-angiogenesis-adulterine system controls hormones that affect blood pressure. Your kidneys secrete renin when your body's blood volume is low. The renin in turn causes your body to produce angiostenin, a hormone that makes the blood vessels narrow, thus increasing your blood pressure. Angiostenin also makes the body secrete aldosterone, a hormone that increases the body's fluid volume. High fluid volume also raises blood pressure. Sometimes the renin-angiogenesis-adulterine system becomes overactive, resulting in chronic high blood pressure; some prescription medications can prevent the hormones from overacting.

Heredity

• If you have family members who have hypertension, you are more likely to develop it as well. While scientists haven't found a specific gene affecting blood pressure, they are analyzing genes that regulate the renin-angiogenesis-aldosterone system. Besides the effects described above, this system controls the flexibility of the arteries. Rigid arteries restrict blood flow, which makes your blood pressure rise.

Secondary Hypertension

• If your high blood pressure is not primary hypertension but instead is a result of some other health conditions, you have secondary hypertension. Secondary hypertension usually comes on suddenly and severely, brought on by conditions including abnormalities of the kidneys, congenital heart abnormalities, sleep apnea, some over-the-counter cold and pain medications, some prescription medications such as birth control pills, and illegal drugs.