What Causes High Blood Pressure

December 28th, 2009

Many of us are wondering what causes blood pressure increases, and what we can do to prevent it from becoming a problem. The fact is, in many cases, physicians and health care professionals don’t know the cause. However, there have been a variety of similarities in cases that, through investigation, have been linked to high blood pressure.Avoiding these things, if they are lifestyle changes may help to reduce your risk of becoming affected by high blood pressure, or hypertension. You may think that you are not at risk, or that high blood pressure is not a huge problem to worry about, but indeed it can be.

There are a variety of causes for high blood pressure and if it is kept under control can bring health and general feeling of wellbeing to you and your family. The following causes of high blood pressure affect different people at different rates, so if you have concerns, you should talk with a qualified health professional.

Obesity Causes High Blood Pressure

Obesity is a very common cause of high blood pressure, especially in the United States. Obesity is a term for people who are overweight, and carry excess weight in places that are, or can be dangerous.

This not only puts excess pressure on the joints and spinal column, but also puts undue stress on the heart. The stress causes high blood pressure, as the heart has to work especially hard to keep proper circulation flowing to the body.

Excessive Alcohol Causes High Blood Pressure

Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day for most people is cause for blood pressure related concerns. Alcohol can raise blood pressure when consumed in large amounts, though the exact cause is questionable and still being researched.

What studies have shown is that alcohol has calories and excess calories cause weight gain, and as previously mentioned, obesity is a serious risk of high blood pressure.

Alcohol also interferes with high blood pressure medications, and has been known to increase side effects of some high blood pressure medications, which in turn can cause a rise in blood pressure.

Stress Can Cause High Blood Pressure

Stress is very frequently associated with high blood pressure and one of the easier lifestyle changes to make. Stressful lifestyles constantly put undue stress on the body, causing a rise in blood pressure. Organizing your life and removing any stress can help lower blood pressure tremendously.

Sedentary Lifestyle Related to High Blood Pressure

Regular and routine exercise over time, leads to a significant drop in blood pressure, and a healthy heart. A sedentary lifestyle combined with a poor diet leads to the heart muscles becoming lax and lazy. Once this pattern is developed, even the slightest of movements take great effort, and tax the heart, resulting in higher blood pressure.

Keeping an eye on your blood pressure is a good idea, especially if you are at risk. There are many steps one can take to lower blood pressure.

An overall healthy lifestyle with exercise and a good diet low in salt and rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium can help to keep your blood pressure at a reasonable level. A blood pressure within normal limit will help to create a general sense of well being and a heart able to handle daily stress better.

Web MD
www.webmd.com

Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.com