I'm sure you have heard many people say that salt causes high blood pressure, or that almost all cases of high blood pressure is hereditary, but the truth is that the causes of over 90% of the cases diagnosed is unknown. High blood pressure can, however cause heart attack and strokes. High blood pressure can be treated by medication in most cases, in some cases it can be treated with a change in diet and exercise.

When you blood pressure is high, you doctor may have you come back two to three more times for readings to see if it is persistent. If it is he/she may order some other tests to rule out possible causes for the problem. Since 90% of the cases are from unknown causes, the chances of finding out the cause may be slim or not at all, still it will needed to be treated.

One thing you might want your doctor to do is take your blood pressure again fifteen to twenty minutes after the first reading. I actually went through this, it's called “white coat”, and its a raise in blood pressure due to anxiety over seeing the doctor. It happens to quite a few people, who are not as comfortable with their doctor as they should be, or are seeing a new doctor, or just are afraid that something is going to be wrong.

Whatever the reason your pressure is high, let your doctor treat it, it can become very dangerous to your health, and to your life.