There are two main types of high blood pressure, namely essential (primary) hypertension and secondary hypertension. Essential (primary) hypertension is the main form of high blood pressure that accounts for around 90-95% of cases and has no single identifiable cause or potential causes including genetic and environmental factors. The secondary hypertension is a rare forms of high blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition or treatment. It is usually caused due to kidney problems (renovascular hypertension), adrenal gland tumors, thyroid disease, and narrowing of the aorta (the main artery that takes blood from the heart to the rest of the body).

There are many more types of high blood pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension is the systolic pressure (top number) and is raised but the diastolic pressure remains normal. Isolated diastolic hypertension is the diastolic pressure (bottom number) and is raised but the systolic pressure remains normal. White coat hypertension is the state where the blood pressure is raised due to the stress of a visit to the doctor or nurse.

When people use the term "high blood pressure," they usually refer to either primary hypertension or secondary hypertension. These two types of high blood pressure count for over 90 percent of all high blood pressure diagnoses. There are, however, several types of high blood pressure that are less common but not less important to be discussed. While some of these special types of high blood pressure are uncommon, some can arise as complications of primary high blood pressure, which means it is important to know how to monitor your condition and what signs to watch for. Whitecoat hypertension is an interesting and fairly common form of high blood pressure that only occurs during visits to the doctor. People with whitecoat hypertension may have normal blood pressure at home, but constantly have elevated readings at the doctor`s records. Sometimes this is a type of strain reaction, but it may signal a more serious underlying problem. Because of this, a doctor should always evaluate whitecoat hypertension.

Pseudo-hypertension makes people with normal blood pressure appear as though they have excessive high blood pressure. Normal blood pressure measuring techniques will show readings that are sometimes alarmingly high, and attempts that treat the "high" blood pressure actually cause the blood pressure to fall too low, thus leading to dizziness, confusion, and fainting. This condition is relatively uncommon, but however the risk increases, as people get older.

Malignant hypertension is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. It causes a wide variety of dangerous effects such as liver failure, kidney damage, retinal bleeding and brain damage. Malignant hypertension can develop speedily, and rapidly thus causing organ damage and dangerous side effects. Its symptoms can impersonate those of other diseases, so rapid medical attention is critical. Pulmonary hypertension is a unique condition because, unlike any other form of high blood pressure, it affects only a particular part of the circulatory system. Despite this, pulmonary hypertension is very risky because it affects the part of the circulatory system that connects the heart and lungs. The connection interferes with the lungs` ability to transfer oxygen and the heart`s ability to pump blood. Pulmonary hypertension is deadly if left untreated, but those who obtain proper treatment have a much better prognosis.

Resistant hypertension starts out as "regular" hypertension, but does not respond to treatment. Despite what should be sufficient therapy, the blood pressure remains high. The causes of defiant hypertension are varied, and it is important for doctors to work carefully with patients who have this disease. If the doctor and patient work together, there are some very effectual treatment options for cases of resistant hypertension. The types of high blood pressure are different and their treatment processes also vary. Thus, the diagnosis and cardiac assistance is very important to deal with each of the types of hypertension.