Secondary hypertension has several known causes, unlike primary hypertension, which has no identifiable cause. No matter what the specific cause of the secondary hypertension is, in each case, the same basic symptoms happen in the body. Pressure on the arteries becomes elevated due to either an increase in cardiac output or an increase in resistance of blood vessels to allow blood to flow. It could also be both cases.
Renal Artery Stenosis
Renal artery stenosis is a cause of secondary hypertension that is also known as renovascular disease. It happens when the size of the arteries decreases and blood volume increases. Pressure on the arteries increases.
Chronic Renal Disease
Chronic renal disease is when the kidney gets damaged and can’t excrete the amount of sodium that it normally excretes. This causes the kidney to retain sodium and water, which increases blood volume and pressure on the arteries.
Primary Hyperaldosteronism
Primary hyperaldosteronism happens when sodium and water are retained in the body, which causes blood volume and pressure on the arteries to increase.
Stress
Emotional stress is a cause of secondary hypertension that activates the nervous system. The nervous system will then release hormones into the blood vessels and increase the blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a cause of secondary hypertension that is when people continually stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. It happens when the airway is obstructed or there are disorders in the central nervous system. It is often associated with obesity. Hormonal changes are associated with repeated periods of sleep apnea, which can increase cardiac output and cause secondary hypertension.
Hyperthyroidism (hypothyroidism)
Hyperthyroidism (also known as hypothyroidism) causes blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to increase, which can lead to secondary hypertension.
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma happens when a tumor in the adrenal gland increases the production of particular hormones. This causes the constriction of vessels, which contributes to pressure on the arteries and can cause secondary hypertension.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia sometimes develops in the third trimester of pregnancy. Hypertension is caused by an increase in blood volume.
Aortic Coarctation
Aortic coarctation is when the main artery, the aorta, is obstructed. This obstruction leads to elevated pressure in the arteries. Blood volume is also elevated. These symptoms together can cause secondary hypertension.
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy is when the kidneys fail to eliminate waste from the body because of diabetes. This is the most common type of kidney failure and is nearly always associated with high blood pressure and secondary hypertension.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Poycystic kidney disease is an inherited condition when cysts in the kidney stop the normal function of kidneys to reduce waste and cause blood pressure to raise, and ultimately can cause hypertension.
Glomerular Disease
Glomerular disease happens when the filters in the kidneys become inflamed and can’t function normally. High blood pressure may develop.
Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis happens when one or both of the kidneys become plugged, blocks urine flow, and raises blood pressure.
Renovascular Hypertension
Renovascular hypertension occurs when the renal arteries narrow, which can cause irreversible kidney damage and renovascular hypertension. It is often caused by the same type of fat that can damage the coronary ateries.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is when the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol and raises blood pressure.
Aldosteronism
Aldosteronism is when a tumor in the adrenal gland or an increased growth of cells caused the adrenal glands to release an excessive amount of hormones. This causes the kidneys to retain salt and water, which raises blood pressure.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidismis when parathyroid glands secrete too many hormones and the amount of calcium in the blood rises, which triggers blood pressure to rise and cause secondary hypertension.