Cardiologists distinguish between primary (essential) hypertension, which is detected in most cases, and secondary hypertension, which occurs as a complication of other diseases. Doctors include obesity, chronic stress, unfavorable heredity, atherosclerosis, bad habits and poor diet as risk factors for developing the disease. Increased blood pressure can occur due to vasoconstriction, dysregulation of the cardiovascular system, hormonal changes and other factors.