There are basically two classifications of high blood pressure which are the primary or essential and the secondary.  Ninety-five percent of reported high blood pressure cases are in the primary category.  Primary high blood pressure is the result of multiple elements.  The other 5 percent of hypertension cases classified as secondary are directly related to body operations or a particular deviation of one of the organs of the body.

About 72 million Americans suffer from the effects of primary high blood pressure and the reasons are not usually recognized.  There are, however, certain similarities in individuals in the primary high blood pressure category.  Those who take in a lot of salt in their diet, more than 5.8 grams each day, may end up with primary high blood pressure.  The dangers of taking in an excessive amount of salt is especially related to groups of individuals that are obese, of African American heritage, seniors citizens, have a renal insufficiency (kidney failure), or have a family history of hypertension.  The normal quantity of salt intake should be kept to 3.8 grams daily to replace salt lost through perspiration if in the age range is of 19 to 50 years.

Family history of hypertension is considered an important factor in developing high blood pressure.  About 30 percent of those who have been diagnosed with primary high blood pressure have genetics to blame.  As an accepted rule of thumb, hypertension is more widely found in the African American culture than it is in individuals who are Asian or Caucasian.  Further, those who have at least one parent with high blood pressure experience double the danger of ending up with hypertension than others of the same age and heritage. 

Most individuals who suffer from high blood pressure have a similarity which is a certain unnatural condition of the arteries.  This is a lack of elasticity or a stiffness that affects the arteries furthest away from the heart.  These are tiny and called arterioles or peripheral arteries.  The blood has a supply of oxygen and the arteries supply this blood as well as nutrients to the body through all the tissues.  The venous system is responsible for returning  this blood to the lungs and the heart.  Why the stiffness happens in the peripheral arteries is still a medical mystery.  Even so, the stiffening of the arteries in those persons who have primary high blood pressure is related to obesity, genetic influences, the aging process, lack of exercise and too much salt intake.  Another factor that has a part in the development of high blood pressure is inflammation.  An escalated C reactive protein level is present in some people and does lead to hypertension.