What condition is categorized under secondary hypertension?

Secondary hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that is a result of an underlying condition. Chronic kidney disease is a prime example of such a condition; it can lead to hypertension by causing fluid retention, altering the production of hormones that regulate blood pressure, and affecting the balance of electrolytes in the body.

In people with chronic kidney disease, the kidneys become less efficient at filtering blood, which can result in increased blood volume and elevated blood pressure. This form of hypertension is typically referred to as secondary because it directly stems from the primary illness affecting kidney function, thereby distinguishing it from primary or essential hypertension which does not have a known secondary cause.

In contrast, while diet, stress, and obesity can indeed contribute to hypertension, they are generally considered to be lifestyle factors that may influence primary hypertension rather than being direct secondary causes. Lifestyle modifications are often recommended for managing these contributing factors, but they don't denote conditions that cause high blood pressure in the way that chronic kidney disease does.