What Causes High Blood Pressure?

By Your Health Magazine

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a very common condition that is suffered by millions of people across the world. This happens when the pressure of the blood in your arteries is very persistent. Untreated blood pressure may result in severe health complications and conditions like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

What, however, is the cause of high blood pressure? Even though some causes of the disease are hereditary or uncontrollable, hypertension risk factors are numerous; there is a myriad of environmental factors and lifestyle choices that contribute to the onset of the disease. In this article, we will see the several causes of high blood pressure and what can be done to reduce the risk.

The Chief Causes of High Blood Pressure

There can be no obvious reason why one may have high blood pressure, yet there are a few factors and conditions which can be said to cause it. There are those you can control while others are genetic, age-related, or lifestyle-related. The following are some of the most popular causes of high blood pressure:

1. Unhealthy Diet

One of the best-known reasons for having elevated blood pressure is eating excess salt (sodium). Salt makes the body hold water, raising the level of blood in the circulatory system and exerting pressure on blood vessel walls.

Too much salt consumption: Foods that are processed, canned, and fast food are some of the foods that have high levels of salt contributing to the cause of high blood pressure.
Deficiency of potassium: Potassium balances the sodium levels in cells in your body, so when you do not get enough, this may expose you to the risk of having high blood pressure.

2. Physical Inactivity

The inactivity of the lifestyle is strongly associated with high blood pressure. Once you are physically inactive, the beating of your heart is forced to work hard to pump blood in the body. This may make your arteries become pressurized and end up developing hypertension over time.

Obesity: Individuals having higher blood pressure are those that are overweight and obese. The extra weight in the body adds a load on the heart and the blood vessels.
Inactive lifestyles: An overall inactivity leads to poor functioning of the heart that is less effective due to lack of physical activity which also results in the body finding it more difficult to circulate blood through the body.

3. Obesity

High blood pressure is mostly caused by being overweight. The heavier you are, the greater your heart has to work in order to deliver blood to your body. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your heart and other blood vessels causing them to strain and thus resulting in high blood pressure.

Fat deposits: Obesity also means that fat is deposited in the arteries, leaving little space through which the blood is set to flow, and this puts more pressure on the walls of the arteries.
Hormonal imbalance: Extra weight can interfere with the hormonal balance of your body, which is important in the regulation of blood pressure.

4. Over Drinking

Excessive intake of alcohol may increase blood pressure. Heavy drinking is chronic; it permanently harms the heart and leaves one in danger of hypertension. Moderate drinking or the reduction in the intake of alcohol is necessary to have normal blood pressure.

Damage to blood vessels: Alcohol may produce constriction in the blood vessels thus producing resistance to blood flow, and this raises blood pressure.

5. Chronic Stress

Stress does not just leave you feeling anxious at the time; sooner or later, continuous stress may lead to high blood pressure. The stressful state induces the flight or fight state in the body, whereas the rate of heartbeats accelerates and blood inflows to the blood vessels narrow in a way that temporarily increases blood pressure.

Release of stress hormones: Stress causes the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can result in permanent alterations in blood pressure management when this occurs over a long duration of time.

6. Smoking

One of the major risk factors for blood pressure is smoking. The contents of the tobacco smoke corrode the blood vessels, causing the arteries to become narrow. This causes more difficulty to the flow of blood, and it raises pressure in the blood.

Nicotine: This results in constriction of blood vessels, and in the short-term, elevation of blood pressure is observed due to smoking. Such damage over time might accumulate and result in chronic hypertension.

7. Genetics and the Family History

Genetics also contribute a great deal to whether you will develop high blood pressure or not. You also have an increased chance of developing high blood pressure, especially if your parents or other close relatives have it.

Genetic predisposition: A family history may predispose you because some genes may make your body work differently when processing sodium or when your blood vessels react to varying stresses.

8. Age

The older you become, the more the chances of developing high blood pressure. It is as a result of the stiffening of arteries and the inefficiency of the heart. Older adults also have higher chances of having other health-related problems that also lead to high blood pressure, like diabetes.

Deterioration of the blood vessels with age: Blood vessels lose their resiliency as they become old, which may cause resistance to flow, and as a result, blood pressure rises.

9. Other Pre-existing Health Problems

Some of the health conditions can put a person at risk of acquiring high blood pressure. Such conditions are:

Diabetes: High sugar levels in blood may cause destruction in blood vessels, resulting in a buildup in pressure.
Chronic kidney disease: Damaged kidneys are unable to control the pressure of blood adequately, which makes it elevated.
Sleep apnea: Individuals with sleep apnea have a higher risk of high blood pressure because of the cessation in breathing at night.

Ways on How to Reduce the Risk of High Blood Pressure

Some risks are beyond your means, but there are a lot of lifestyle factors that can assist in the prevention or treatment of blood pressure. Following are some of the ways to reduce your risk:

Have a balanced diet: Focus on a diet that is plant-based and includes whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Reduce the consumption of salty food and processed foods.
Be physically active: Set some goals, such as at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Exercise can make the heart strong, along with lessening stress.
Reduce alcohol intake: Take alcohol within the recommended limits (one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men).
Give up smoking: Quitting smoking helps blood pressure come down and keeps your heart safe.
Handle stress: Engage in stress-reducing activities, like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or affirmation to reduce stress.

Final Thoughts

The problem of high blood pressure is a severe health condition, which can be largely avoided and controlled. You can also reduce your risk and ensure that your blood pressure is at a healthy level by learning what could cause high blood pressure and taking healthy life decisions. In case you have issues with your blood pressure, you need to consult your medical professional and act based on their advice in regards to treating yourself.

If you’d like to read more articles like this, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible to reverse high blood pressure?
Though high blood pressure may not be fully reversible, it can be controlled and managed most of the time with lifestyle changes, medications, and regular monitoring.

2. How do I realize if I have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer since it doesn’t show symptoms. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are essential for early diagnosis.

3. Does stress pose a risk for high blood pressure?
Yes, continuous stress is a risk factor for hypertension. Learning to cope with stress using relaxation techniques and self-care is important.

4. Can high blood pressure be managed without medication?
In many cases, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management can help manage high blood pressure. However, some individuals may require medication to control their blood pressure.

5. Is high blood pressure hereditary?
Yes, family history plays a role in the risk of developing high blood pressure. If your parents or close relatives have high blood pressure, you may be at higher risk.