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What Causes Increased Blood Pressure

What Can You Do To Prevent High Blood Pressure

Common Causes Of High Blood Pressure

Making lifestyle changes can help you to prevent high blood pressure. You can:

  • Stay at a healthy weight or lose extra weight.
  • Eat heart-healthy foods.
  • Eat less salt and salty foods.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Cut back on drinking. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks a week for men and 9 drinks a week for women.

Heart Attack And Heart Disease

High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:

  • Chest pain, also called angina.
  • Heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
  • Heart failure, a condition that means your heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.

High Blood Pressure Chart

The chart below shows measures for normal and high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association .

Doctors measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury .

Systolic pressure measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and is the top number on a blood pressure reading. Diastolic, which is the lower number, represents the blood pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

Systolic
  • congenital conditions, such as Cushings syndrome, acromegaly, or pheochromocytoma

Sometimes, there is no apparent cause. In this case, a doctor will diagnose primary hypertension.

Consuming a high fat diet, carrying excess weight, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking tobacco, and the use of some medications also increase the risk.

Treatment will depend on several factors, including:

  • how high the blood pressure is
  • the risk of cardiovascular disease or a stroke

The doctor will recommend different treatments as blood pressure increases. For slightly high blood pressure, they may suggest making lifestyle changes and monitoring the blood pressure.

If blood pressure is high, they will recommend medication. The options may change over time, according to how severe the hypertension is and whether complications arise, such as kidney disease. Some people may need a combination of several different medications.

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What Are The Complications Of Uncontrolled Hypertension

  • Chest pain, also called angina.
  • Heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
  • Heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs.
  • Irregular heart beat which can lead to a sudden death.

Treating High Blood Pressure With Lifestyle Changes

Infographic about causes of high blood pressure

Your doctor may suggest that you make one or more of the following changes:

  • Lose weight. If you’re overweight, losing extra kilograms may bring your blood pressure down.
  • Get more active. Regular aerobic exercise can help lower blood pressure.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
  • Cut back on drinking. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks a week for men and 9 drinks a week for women.
  • Eat less sodium. To help lower blood pressure, try to eat less than 2,000 mg a day.footnote 2
  • Follow theDASH diet. The DASH eating plan can help you lower your blood pressure.

For tips on how to do these things, see the Living With High Blood Pressure section of this topic.

One Woman’s Story:

Izzy, 60

“I could never have imagined I could get down so low by losing weight. I feel sure it was the WAY I lost weight, with DASH.”Izzy

Read more about Izzy and how she uses the DASH eating plan.

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Ptsd And High Blood Pressure

A growing body of research has linked post-traumatic stress disorder to high blood pressure.

Researchers arent sure about the mechanism underlying the relationship between PTSD and high blood pressure, but it may have something to do with higher levels of inflammation in patients with PTSD, which may increase blood pressure.

Since PTSD has a much higher incidence in veterans, experts say screening for high blood pressure should be routine not only in active soldiers who are at risk, but also for those who are no longer active and receive care from Veterans Affairs hospitals.

The AHA is the nations oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting heart disease, as well as its major risk factors, including high blood pressure. The AHA funds lifesaving research and advocates for people affected by all heart-related issues. You can also find diet and lifestyle tips for getting your blood pressure under control.

Million Hearts is a national initiative led by the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Its goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes within five years. It focuses on small steps people can take to reduce risk factors for these heart events, including blood pressure control.

Excessive Salt Raises Blood Pressure

Too much sodium can cause water retention that puts increased pressure on your heart and blood vessels. People with high blood pressure and those at a high risk for developing hypertension, including adults over 50 and black men and women, should have no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily of salt.

Even people with normal levels should eat salt in moderation. Stick to no more than 2,300 mg of sodium , per day.

Most dietary sodium comes from processed foods. Rules of thumb are to choose foods with 5% or less of the daily value of sodium per serving and opt for fresh poultry, fish and lean meats, rather than canned, smoked or processed. Similarly, fresh or frozen vegetables are better than canned.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that if people cut just 1/2 teaspoon of salt per day, it could help lower the number of new cases of heart disease per year by up to 120,000.

Further, potassium found in foods like sweet potatoes, spinach, bananas, oranges, low-fat milk and halibut can counterbalance the pressure-increasing effects of sodium by helping to rid the body of excess sodium.

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Sudden Increase In Blood Pressure 6 Common Reasons

Posted by Dr. Chris

Changes in the blood pressure occur throughout the day. In fact your blood pressure can change several times within a minute and sudden fluctuations largely depends on what you are doing and your state of mind. However, for most people the blood pressure will not rise above nor drop below the normal range. It is important to understand that there is no specific number that can be considered normal for blood pressure. Not even the widely accepted 120/80 mmHg.

Instead your blood pressure fluctuates within a normal range which changes with age. For adults, the uppermost level is known as the systolic pressure. It is the pressure recorded when your heart contracts and normally can vary from 90 to 119 mmHg. Similarly the lowest level known as the diastolic pressure can vary from 60 to 79 mmHg. It is the pressure recorded when your heart relaxes. Therefore the ideal blood pressure for adults which is said to be 120/80mmHg is actually the highest normal reading, after which are either have pre-hypertension or hypertension .

However, there are some occasions where there can be a minor increase for just short periods of time. It can slightly exceed the normal maximum levels but returns to normal soon thereafter. It is for this reason that doctors take blood pressure readings on at least 3 separate occasions to diagnose hypertension. If one reading is high, your doctor will wait about 5 minutes and ask you to relax before checking your BP again.

What Are The Classifications Of Blood Pressure

3 Things that Cause High Blood Pressure {â?#3 will SHOCK You}

Blood pressure can come in a few stages:

  • Low blood pressure is below 90/60 mm HG, but the term hypotension is sometimes used to refer to a relative decrease in blood pressure. Fatigue, nausea, and fainting are not uncommon at this stage.
  • Normal blood pressure is generally anything below 120/80 mm HG
  • Elevated blood pressure represents blood pressure ranging between 120-129 mm HG systole and below 80 mm Hg diastole.
  • Stage 1 represents blood pressure ranging between 130-139 mm Hg systole and 80-89 mm Hg diastole.
  • Stage 2 represents a blood pressure ranging 140+ mm Hg systole and 90+ mm Hg diastole
  • A hypertensive Crisis is blood pressure above 180/120 mm Hg. If this is your blood pressure call 911.
  • Blood pressure is one health metric that tends to slowly increase with age, but it is also highly correlated with heart disease and stroke when it reaches the stage of hypertension, i.e. high blood pressure.

    Knowing if you have high blood pressure during a resting state is an important first step for understanding your heart health, and it can help you identify sudden changes.

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    How Does Blood Pressure Work

    Blood pressure is the force against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps blood. When the heart squeezes and pushes blood into the vessels, blood pressure goes up. It comes down when the heart relaxes.

    Blood pressure changes from minute to minute. It’s affected by activity and rest, body temperature, diet, emotions, posture, and medicines.

    Treating High Blood Pressure With Medicines

    If lifestyle changes don’t lower your blood pressure to your goal, you may need to take daily medicines as well.

    Medicines controlbut usually don’t curehigh blood pressure. So you will probably need to take them for the rest of your life. Most people need to take two or more medicines.

    • High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?

    Some people find it hard to take their medicines properly. They may feel it’s too much troubleespecially when they don’t feel sick. Or they’re worried about side effects. Some people find it hard to keep track of when and how to take their medicines.

    If you have trouble taking high blood pressure medicines for any reason, talk to your doctor.

    Read more about Tyrell and why he started taking his medicines properly.

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    High Diastolic Blood Pressure Symptoms

    High blood pressure does not typically cause notable symptoms. The AHA note that the common belief that high blood pressure will cause sweating, facial flushing, or a feeling of nervousness is a myth.

    However, a person may experience nosebleeds or headaches if they are in a state of hypertensive crisis. If a person gets two blood pressure readings of 180/120 mm Hg or higher, with 5 minutes between the readings, they should contact 911 or seek emergency medical attention.

    A person may have high blood pressure for years before they experience any complications. Some possible indirectly related symptoms include:

    • dizziness

    2016 study state that more research is necessary to understand exactly how anxiety raises blood pressure and why it only happens in some people, especially in young adults.

    One suggestion is that mental stress may activate a particular part of the nervous system that triggers a cascade of hormones, which interfere with how the body regulates blood pressure.

    How Can I Be More Active

    BETTY C. JUNG
    • Check first with your healthcare provider before increasing your physical activity. Ask your provider what type and amount of exercise is right for you.
    • Choose aerobic activities such as walking, biking or swimming.
    • Start slowly and increase activity gradually. Aim for a regular routine of activity 5 times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each session.

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    What Is High Blood Pressure Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention

    High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common disease that occurs when the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be.

    Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and more.

    The Body’s Control Of Blood Pressure

    The body has many mechanisms to control blood pressure. The body can change the

    • Amount of blood the heart pumps

    • Diameter of arteries

    • Volume of blood in the bloodstream

    To increase blood pressure, the heart can pump more blood by pumping more forcefully or more rapidly. Small arteries can narrow , forcing the blood from each heartbeat through a narrower space than normal. Because the space in the arteries is narrower, the same amount of blood passing through them increases the blood pressure. Veins can constrict to reduce their capacity to hold blood, forcing more blood into the arteries. As a result, blood pressure increases. Fluid can be added to the bloodstream to increase blood volume and thus increase blood pressure.

    To decrease blood pressure, the heart can pump less forcefully or rapidly, arterioles and veins can widen , and fluid can be removed from the bloodstream.

    These mechanisms are controlled by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system Autonomic nervous system The peripheral nervous system consists of more than 100 billion nerve cells that run throughout the body like strings, making connections with the brain, other parts of the body, and… read more and by the kidneys. The sympathetic division uses several means to temporarily increase blood pressure during the fight-or-flight response .

    Angiotensin II helps increase blood pressure by

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    Causes Of Secondary Hypertension

    When high blood pressure arises suddenly due to an identifiable condition, its called secondary hypertension.

    Some conditions and drugs can lead to secondary hypertension, including the following:

    • Kidney problems

    Examples include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine .

    HormonesBirth control pills can also affect blood pressure. Women who take birth control pills usually experience a small rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure .

    Hormone therapy used to relieve symptoms of menopause can also cause a small rise in systolic blood pressure.

    If you know you have high blood pressure, but are considering hormone therapy, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of undergoing hormone therapy, as well as the best ways to control your blood pressure.

    Additionally, some recreational and illegal drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy , and amphetamines, are also known to increase blood pressure.

    What Causes Your Blood Pressure To Suddenly Get High

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  • What Causes Your Blood Pressure to Suddenly Get High? Center
  • Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition where the pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. The heart pumps blood into the arteries, and it is circulated to all parts of the body. Hypertension develops when the heart constantly needs to exert higher force to deliver the blood to the organs through the arteries. Since a hypertensive heart must work harder to deliver blood, hypertension can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and heart failure. Also, the blood vessels in people with hypertension are narrower, putting them at risk of stroke, kidney disease and vision loss.

    There are many reasons for high blood pressure. Some possible causes include caffeine, acute stress or anxiety, certain medications , combinations of medications, recreational drugs, sudden or acute pain, dehydration and white coat effect .

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    High Blood Pressure: Symptoms Treatments And Causes

    If you’ve been told that you have high blood pressure, you’re not alone. Far from it, actually.

    Almost 1 in 4 Canadian adults are affected by high blood pressure , and almost half of them don’t have it well controlled.

    With high blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high. When it goes undiagnosed and/or untreated, high blood pressure can dramatically increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems by damaging blood vessels.

    Drink Alcohol In Moderation

    Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.

    Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.

    The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:

    • 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
    • 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.

    A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.

    More about drinking alcohol reponsibly

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    Social And Economic Factors

    Recent research has shown that factors such as income, your education, where you live, and the type of job you have may contribute to your risk of developing high blood pressure. For example, working early or late shifts can raise your risk.

    Experiencing danger or harm as a child has also been tied to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

    How Often Should You Check Your Blood Pressure

    High Blood Pressure

    The most important element in the management of high blood pressure is follow-up care.

    • Routine blood pressure check-ups are important to monitor readings and decide upon a treatment plan.
    • With age and the natural progression of hardening of the arteries, systolic blood pressure may elevate over time. A treatment that once worked well may no longer work as well and your medication treatment may need to be changed.
    • Routine physical exams and screening blood tests may be suggested to help monitor the success of blood pressure management.
    • Follow-up visits are a good time to discuss with your doctor any medication side effects that you may be experiencing. Your doctor will have suggestions for managing side effects or may change your treatment.
    • Follow-up visits are a great opportunity for monitoring for other associated risk factors, such as high cholesterol, smoking cessation, and obesity.

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