Lifestyle factors - increased BMI, stress, too much salt in the diet, genetics, underlying medical conditions may play a role. The arteries lose their pliability with aging and that is when hypertension starts. No, it can not be cured, but it may be controlled, but, if you stop your medicine, the blood pressure will increase again and become uncontrolled. Variation increases with stress. Start exercising and google breathing exercises to decrease stress.