How are secondary hypertension and essential hypertension different?

Hypertension: Secondary hypertension:secondary hypertension (or, less commonly, inessential hypertension) is a type of hypertension which by definition is caused by an identifiable underlying secondary cause. Essential hypertension:essential hypertension (also called primary hypertension or idiopathic hypertension) is the form of hypertension that by definition, has no identifiable cause.

2nd HTN Vs Essential: Secondary hypertension is secondary to a know cause. There are hundreds. The cause of essential hypertension is unknown.There are hundreds of hypothesis as to what it is due to tho. Some facts: runs in families, tends to be sensititive to diet salt intake, the higher the BP the shorter time you live and the greater the % of life you spend with heart disease, stroke, renal failure etc.