7 Causes of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also dubbed hypertension, is hazardous because it brings about your heart work harder to pump blood out to your body and can result in the hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.

Normal blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80 (120/80).  Elevated blood pressure is usually 120-129/less than 80.

While Stage 1 high blood pressure ranges from 130-139/80-89, Stage 2 high blood pressure ranges from 140 and above/90 and above. A person whose blood pressure is higher than 180/higher than 120 is going through a hypertension crisis and would need to see a doctor right away.

High blood pressure, also dubbed hypertension, is hazardous because it brings about your heart work harder to pump blood out to your body and can result in the hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.

 Normal blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80 (120/80).  Elevated blood pressure is usually 120-129/less than 80.

While Stage 1 high blood pressure ranges from 130-139/80-89, Stage 2 high blood pressure ranges from 140 and above/90 and above.

A person whose blood pressure is higher than 180/higher than 120 is going through a hypertension crisis and would need to see a doctor right away.

Seven causes of high blood pressure include:

Smoking

Being overweight or obese 

Lack of physical activity

Older age

Genetics

Family history of high blood pressure

Consuming too much alcohol 

Other causes of high blood pressure include: 

Putting too much salt in meals

Stress

Chronic kidney disease

Adrenal and thyroid disorders

Sleep apnea

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Essential hypertension is influenced by your diet and lifestyle. 

Some of the factors that can raise your risk of getting essential hypertension include obesity, diabetes, anxiety, limited intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium; lack of physical activity and exercise, and chronic consumption of alcohol.

Secondary hypertension on the other hand is when a direct cause of high blood pressure can be identified. Amongst the known causes of secondary hypertension kidney disease is more popular. It can also be triggered by tumours or other abnormalities that cause small glands that sit atop the kidneys (adrenal gland) to secrete additional amounts of the hormones responsible for elevating blood pressure, birth control pills containing oestrogen can medications that constrict blood vessels.

The following individuals tend to be hypertensive;

• Individuals who come from families where members have high blood pressure
• Individuals that smokers
• Pregnant women
• Individuals  who take birth control pills
• Individuals over the age of 35
• Individuals who are overweight or obese
• Individuals who drink alcohol excessively
• Individuals who eat too many fatty foods
• Individuals who eat foods with too much salt
• Individuals who have sleep apnea

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Using some types of medications can also increase your chances of getting a high blood pressure

The following can increase your blood pressure:

• The use of contraceptive pills or steroids
• The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen
• The use of  cough and cold remedies

Some herbal remedies containing licorice

• The use of some recreational drugs like cocaine and amphetamines
• The use of selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) antidepressants like venlafaxine

Your blood pressure would possibly return to normal once you stop taking some of the medicine or drug.

After confirming your diagnosis is high blood pressure, you must discuss the risks of the different treatments and medications with your doctor. Blood pressure medications also have their side effects. Some of the side effects of blood pressure medications may include dizziness, sexual problems, headache, and cough.