Symptoms

Like primary hypertension, secondary hypertension usually has no specific signs or symptoms, even if your blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels.

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 120 mm Hg
• High blood pressure that no longer responds to medication that previously controlled your blood pressure
• Sudden-onset high blood pressure before age 30 or after age 55
• No family history of high blood pressure
• No obesity

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.