Secondary high blood pressure: When another condition causes hypertension

When something goes wrong in one part of your body, a ripple effect can create problems elsewhere — such as high blood pressure (hypertension). In fact, 5 percent to 10 percent of high blood pressure cases are caused by an underlying condition, according to the American Heart Association.
This type of high blood pressure, known as secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly. But there's good news. Proper treatment can often control or cure both the underlying condition and the high blood pressure, which reduces the risk of serious complications — including heart disease, kidney failure and stroke.
Here's a look at possible causes of secondary hypertension.
Diabetic nephropathy
Your kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessels that filter waste from your blood and eliminate it in your urine. But diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. In fact, diabetic nephropathy is the most common type of kidney failure — which is nearly always associated with high blood pressure. The high blood pressure can be treated with diet, exercise and medication. If your kidney function dips too low, you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Polycentric kidney disease
In this inherited condition, cysts in the kidneys disrupt normal function and raise blood pressure. The high blood pressure can be treated with diet, exercise and medication. The polycentric disease may ultimately require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Glomerular disease
Your kidneys filter waste and sodium using microscopic filters called gloomier. Inflammation of these filters is called glomerulonephritis. If the inflamed gloomier can't function normally, you may develop high blood pressure. The high blood pressure can be treated with diet, exercise and medication. Glomerulonephritis may be treated with medication, dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Hydronephrosis
In this condition, certain parts of one or both kidneys become plugged. This blocks urine flow and raises blood pressure. Some blockages resolve without treatment, but others require drainage or surgery. Once the blockage is removed, blood pressure often returns to normal.
 

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