Hypertension in Cats: Causes and Types

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often associated with other diseases, such as kidney disease. Several other factors, like stress, may also lead to hypertension.

Hypertension can result in significant organ damage and affect a cat’s quality of life, so accurate diagnosis and effective management are important for the best care of your feline friend.

Causes of Hypertension in Cats^1,2

High blood pressure in cats can be influenced by several factors. In many cases, it develops along with other health conditions, but some cats may have no clear underlying cause. Understanding the possible contributors can help with early detection and long-term care.

While not all causes are fully understood, here’s what we know so far:

• Most cases are seen in older cats, especially those over 10 years of age.
• Studies show the average age at diagnosis is between 13-15 years, but high blood pressure has been reported in cats as young as 5-7 years.  
• Blood pressure tends to rise with age, even in otherwise healthy cats.
• There is no known difference in blood pressure between male and female cats.
• No specific cat breeds have been shown to be more at risk for hypertension.
• Unlike in people, obesity does not appear to significantly affect blood pressure in cats.  
• High-sodium diets have not been shown to raise blood pressure, even in cats with kidney disease.

Types of Hypertension in Cats^1,2

High blood pressure in cats can be grouped into three main types: situational, primary and secondary.

Situational hypertension happens when a cat’s blood pressure temporarily rises due to stress, like during a vet visit. To avoid false readings, veterinarians often take multiple measurements in a calm setting. Some may even teach you to take your cat’s blood pressure readings at home.

Primary hypertension means high blood pressure without a known cause. It’s less common but still serious and affects about 13% to 20% of cats with hypertension.

Secondary hypertension is the most common type and is caused by other health problems. Conditions linked to high blood pressure in cats include:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) – The most common cause, with studies showing that 19% to 65% of cats with CKD also have high blood pressure.
• Hyperthyroidism – Another common condition in older cats, which has been linked to hypertension in 10% to 23% of cases at the time of diagnosis.
• Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) – A hormonal condition where the body makes too much aldosterone. This leads to high blood pressure in 40% to 60% of cats affected with PHA.
• Diabetes mellitus – A well-known risk factor for hypertension in people, but in cats, the link is less clear. High blood pressure appears to be less common in diabetic cats, but some studies suggest their blood pressure may still be higher than in healthy cats, especially if they have other conditions like CKD.

Some medications may contribute to elevated blood pressure in cats. These include meds that stimulate red blood cell production, such as darbepoetin. Blood pressure in healthy cats tends to be relatively unaffected by salt intake, and high-sodium diets do not appear to cause or worsen hypertension in cats with reduced kidney function.

For more expert tips on cat health, explore our other cat symptom articles.  

References

Taylor SS, Sparkes AH, Briscoe K, et al. ISFM consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of hypertension in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2017;19(3):288-303.

Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32(6):1803-1822.