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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffLike primary high blood pressure (hypertension), secondary hypertension usually has no specific signs or symptoms, even if your blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels.
Some people may experience headaches from secondary hypertension, but it's difficult to know if high blood pressure or something else is causing the headaches.
If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, having any of these signs may mean your condition is secondary hypertension:
- High blood pressure that doesn't respond to blood pressure medications (resistant hypertension)
- Very high blood pressure — systolic blood pressure over 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure over 110 mm Hg
- A blood pressure medication that previously controlled your blood pressure no longer works
- Sudden-onset high blood pressure before age 30 or after age 55
- No family history of high blood pressure
When to see a doctor
If you have a condition that can cause secondary hypertension, you may need your blood pressure checked more frequently. Ask your doctor how often to have your blood pressure checked.
- Onusko E. Diagnosing secondary hypertension. American Family Physician. 2003;68;67.
- Sutters M. Systemic hypertension. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.; McGraw-Hill Medical: 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3177080. Accessed July 9, 2010.
- Chobanian AV, et al. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/jnc7full.pdf. Accessed July 9, 2010.
- Domino FJ, et al. Overview of hypertension in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Chiong JR, et al. Secondary hypertension: Current diagnosis and treatment. International Journal of Cardiology. 2008;124;6.
- Kiani J, et al. Medicinal importance of grapefruit juice and its interaction with various drugs. Nutrition Journal. 2007;6;33.
- Your guide to lowering your blood pressure with DASH. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf. Accessed July 9, 2010.
- Sheps S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 12, 2010.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm. Accessed Feb. 18, 2011.
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