Causes

• According to the American Heart Association, in 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases the cause is not known. In the remaining 5 to 10 percent of cases, the cause is linked to abnormal kidneys, narrow arteries or an abnormal aorta.
  
  

Controllable Risks

• Controllable risk factors for high blood pressure include obesity, stress, inactivity and consuming too much alcohol and salt.
  
  

Uncontrollable Risk

• Risk factors for high blood pressure which are uncontrollable include family history, race and age. Black people have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
  
  

Lifestyle Changes

• Losing weight, eating healthier foods and exercising are lifestyle modifications used to treat high blood pressure.
  
  

Medical Treatments

• Diuretics help clean kidneys while alpha and beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses. Enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, nervous system inhibitors and vasodilators relax blood vessels.