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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Secondary hypertension (secondary high blood pressure) is high blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition. Secondary hypertension differs from the usual type of high blood pressure (essential hypertension), which is often referred to simply as high blood pressure. Essential hypertension, also known as primary hypertension, has no clear cause and is thought to be linked to genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.

Secondary hypertension can be caused by conditions that affect your kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system. Secondary hypertension can also occur during pregnancy.

Secondary hypertension tends to appear suddenly. But there's good news. Proper treatment can often control both the underlying condition and the high blood pressure, which reduces the risk of serious complications — including heart disease, kidney failure and stroke.

Symptoms
References
  1. Chobanian AV, et al. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension. 2003;42(6)1202-1256.
  2. Onusko E. Diagnosing secondary hypertension. American Family Physician. 2003;68(1):67-74.
  3. Taler SJ. Secondary causes of hypertension. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35(3):489-500.
  4. Domino FJ, et al. Overview of hypertension in adults. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed Sept. 18, 2008.
  5. Ong KL, et al. Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among United States adults 1999-2004. Hypertension. 2007;49(1):69-75.
  6. Polycystic kidney disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/polycystic/. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
  7. Glomerulonephritis. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozPrint.cfm?id=65 Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
  8. Bilateral hydronephrosis. University of Maryland Medical Center. http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000474all.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
  9. ATA hypothyroidism booklet. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
  10. Hyperthyroidism. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hyper_brochure.pdf. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
  11. Hyperparathyroidism. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/hyper/hyper.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
  12. What is preeclampsia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/issues/preg/preclamp.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.

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Oct. 4, 2008

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