High blood pressure is a condition that occurs when too much pressure builds up in the arteries due to a number of reasons. Otherwise known as hypertension, high blood pressure is nicknamed the "silent killer" because only about 75% of people who suffer from hypertension are actually aware they have it. If left untreated or improperly, it can lead to much more serious complications such as heart disease, kidney disease or stroke. The American Heart Association states there while there is no single cause for high blood pressure, there are "secondary causes" attributed to it.

Secondary high blood pressure, otherwise known as inessential hypertension, often times develops due to several underlying medical conditions. It accounts for between five and ten percent of primary hypertension cases, and usually begins with an elevated arterial pressure. This elevated arterial pressure is often caused by cardiac output or systematic vascular resistance. If you treat these conditions early enough, you can properly avoid complications such as heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke further down the road.