What Causes High Blood Pressure
You’ve seen the commercials about the causes of high blood pressure, noting that it could be from Uncle Jake or a nice, thick steak. They do indeed raise the question, what are the causes of high blood pressure?
The term high blood pressure, or hypertension, means that the blood your heart pumps has difficulty coursing through arteries that are abnormally narrow, causing pressure to grow. Because of their amazing abilities, our hearts can continue to operate for years while this condition develops without revealing the disease or showing any symptoms whatsoever; earning it the moniker the “silent disease”. There are two categories of high blood pressure into which all who suffer from the disease fit, depending on the whether or not there are any specific causes for high blood pressure.
The actual causes of high blood pressure are difficult for doctors to pinpoint. When unable to definitively recognize a cause, which is the most common case, the disease is referred to as primary hypertension. There is speculation that these cases most likely are a combination of heredity and environmental causes.
Secondary hypertension represents an approximate 10 to 15 percent of individuals who have one of the few identifiable causes of high blood pressure. The causes can be attributed to health issues such as heart defects, kidney malfunction and adrenal gland tumors. Unfortunately, they can also be traced to illegal drug use and specific medications. Genetic factors certainly account for the causes of high blood pressure in many cases, although not considered as a direct cause.
Two of the known causes of high blood pressure, even if temporary, are stress and anxiety. While these conditions do serve to spike blood pressure only on a short-term basis, repeated episodes can wreak havoc on the heart, kidneys and blood vessel in much the same manner as continual high blood pressure. In addition to the stress load, individuals experiencing anxiety often turn to “comforts” such as smoking, drinking or unhealthy eating; all direct provokers to blood pressure.
Taking acetaminophen, antidepressants, birth control pills, decongestants, caffeine and herbal supplements are all either temporary causes of high blood pressure or have an adverse effect on high blood pressure medication. If an individual is taking medication to control high blood pressure, or at risk for high blood pressure, taking any of these medications or supplements should be disclosed to your physician.
Whether the causes of high blood pressure are your Uncle Jake or a big, thick steak, living a healthier lifestyle and avoiding the temporary causes of high blood pressure may result in a decreased likelihood that the disease would develop or worsen. The important thing is to recognize the causes and recognize how to control high blood pressure.