be sure to mention this to your doctor.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common condition which has many causes and risk factors and the only way to know if you have this condition is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to high blood pressure but health experts have not identified one sole cause. Here is some information on conditions that can cause high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is common in pregnant women but it is usually severe although it does sometimes need to be treated with medication. When blood pressure rises suddenly and to extreme levels during a pregnancy, this is called preeclampsia, and this can be a dangerous condition for both the mother and the baby. While women who had high blood pressure before becoming pregnant have a greater than average chance of having this problem, it can also occur in women with no history of hypertension. This why it is so important for women to monitor their blood pressure while pregnant.

High blood pressure is actually a condition that is often caused by unknown factors. When doctors cannot find a definite cause of high blood pressure, which is actually most of the time, they call it essential hypertension.

While many factors, such as age, diet, smoking and stress can contribute to it, even experts have not identified a specific cause in the majority of cases. It's important to realize that the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it tested frequently. Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes high blood pressure, but meanwhile you can still take actions to lower your risks of hypertension or control it once it's been diagnosed.

Medication and certain drugs may also contribute to high blood pressure. People addicted to street drugs, especially "uppers" or cocaine, are prone to high blood pressure. However, many prescribed drugs, including birth control pills and antidepressants can contribute to high blood pressure. Medications bought at the pharmacy without a prescription, such as appetite suppressants and even cold medicines can also raise your blood pressure sometimes. So read the labels on any medications you take and ask your doctor about possible side effects. If you suspect any medicine you are taking is causing a rise in your blood pressure, be sure to mention this to your doctor.

Your medical and family history, exercise habits and diet can all be contributing factors when it comes to hypertension. High blood pressure is something that can be controlled, as long as you are willing to listen to medical advice and do what's necessary. We've been looking at some of the causes of high blood pressure, and in some cases they can be fairly straightforward. When you've pinpointed the cause of your own high blood pressure, it can be simpler to come up with a plan to control it.