What Causes High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure(BP) is the force at which the blood wields on the arteries when flowing through them. Sometimes high blood pressure is called hypertension a medical term for referring to this condition if it remains the same for long. Many things can trigger a sudden increase in blood pressure which is dangerous since it can cause hardening of arteries, stroke, heart disease and increases the risk of chronic hypertension.

These factors contribute to an increase in blood pressure.

Family and ethnic background

Chance of developing high blood pressure are higher if your close family members have hypertension. An international scientific study has found 8 common genetic differences that could increase the risk of getting a high blood pressure.Ethnic background is also a cause of higher risk for blood pressure. People with an ancestry connection with African and South Asia are a higher risk of developing hypertension.

Aging

Blood vessels begin losing flexibility and arteries become harder when people start aging. It increases the chance of clogging the blood arteries.An older heart also has problems in pumping the blood at optimal levels. The heart's natural pacemaker system which regulates heartbeat is likely to have more fats deposits that affect the functioning of the heart and affect the ability to pump the blood.

Stress and anxiety

Intense and sudden episodes of anxiety or stress cause a surge of hormones and a temporary increase in blood pressure since at the time, vessels narrow yet the heart beats faster.Stress causes temporary spikes of increased blood pressure, but the root of the long-term problem is overeating, excess drinking of alcohol and poor sleeping habits.It is advisable to avoid things that increase stress levels rather than take the risk. Exercising for 30 minutes three to five time a week is known to reduce stress levels.

Medications

Some prescriptions over counter medications, supplements, and other medical substances can cause a rise in blood pressure. The reason is that some of these substances interfere with the body systems or interfere with medications that help in lowering BP. It is essential to ask a physician to regularly check your blood pressure if you take antidepressants as they change the response to brain chemicals that affect your mood thus increasing the blood pressure.

Birth control pills and other hormonal devices have hormones that could narrow smaller blood pressures and trigger an increase in blood pressure. The risk is higher if a woman is overweight, a smoker or over 35 years.

Increases blood pressure is not a must for any woman who uses hormonal birth control pills just that it is essential to go for a check-up every 6-12 month.

Smoking

Smoking involves inhaling nicotine by causing inflammation within body's circulatory system and changing the proper functioning of blood vessels. After some time, it hardens the arteries that in turn causes high blood pressure. These harmful changes begin occurring after smoking the first cigarette. Every puff makes your blood lesser red and bluer. The constant changing deprives the brain of the essential energy of proper functioning including pumping the blood.

Alcohol

Taking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure to unhealthy levels. The risk begins after you exceed three drinks in a sitting. Blood pressure increase could be temporary although frequent binge drinking can cause long-term increases.Alcohol has calories that could contribute to excess weight gain, a factor in increasing blood pressure. Alcohol may also interfere with effective of BP medications and increase side effects.

Excess weight and Obesity

Taking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure to unhealthy levels. The risk begins after you exceed three drinks in a sitting. Blood pressure increase could be temporary although frequent binge drinking can cause long-term increases.Alcohol has calories that could contribute to excess weight gain, a factor in increasing blood pressure. Alcohol may also interfere with effective of BP medications and increase side effects.

Excess sugar and salt

Taking too much sugar over time causes weight gain which in turn increases the risk of blood pressure by reducing the efficient flow of blood.Taking too much salt makes the body to hold onto extra water and in turn, increase blood volume in arteries. Sodium also causes constricting of small arteries producing more resistance to blood flow. The result is a rise in blood pressure.

Other small contributors to high blood pressure are

The best way to avoid high blood pressure is to avoid risk factors, regular exercising and living a healthier lifestyle.