Evidence of Secondary High Blood Pressure

Secondary high blood pressure is a result of a specific illness. Usually, once the disease is treated, your blood pressure returns to normal. These signs may indicate you have secondary high blood pressure:

• Onset of high blood pressure before age 20 or past age 50

• Flushing spells

• Rapid pulse

• Intolerance to heat

• Very high level of blood pressure (over 180/120)

• Damage to the eyes, kidneys, or heart

• Low level of potassium in the blood

• Loud humming sound in the abdomen (called a bruit)

• Family history of kidney disease

• Poor response to treatment that’s usually effective