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Hello tam,   Thanks for your question.   The vast majority - around 90% - of high blood pressure (or hypertension) has no identifiable cause.  Factors that influence blood pressure include obesity and cigarette smoking, so losing weight and stopping smoking can certainly help.  Even if you are not overweight, exercise can help lower your blood pressure, but be sure to check with your doctor if you are healthy enough for exercise.   Your kidneys can become painful with several diseases, including kidney stones and kidney infections (sometimes both!), but rarely does these effect both sides.  Kindey stones are exquisitely painful, and the pain usually comes and goes in waves.  These can be diagnosed with imagining studies including ultrasound, CT scan, or sometimes even x-ray.  A simple urine test can help determine if you have a kidney infection.   It is also possible that your kidney pain has nothing to do with your organs, but possibly your lower back!  Your doctor, who can perform a physical exam and possibly order the tests above, can help you determine the cause of your pain.  Good luck!   To your health, Neil MD