High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a prevalent health condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. This means your heart has to work harder to circulate blood throughout your body. Understanding what contributes to this condition is crucial for prevention and management.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), with a reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher generally classified as hypertension. It’s categorized into stages to help understand the severity and guide treatment.
- Normal blood pressure: Below 120/80 mm Hg.
- Elevated blood pressure: Systolic (top number) between 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic (bottom number) below 80 mm Hg.
- Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg.
- Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic at 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic at 90 mm Hg or higher.
A blood pressure reading exceeding 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive crisis, requiring immediate medical attention.
While the original article briefly touched upon healthy lifestyle habits for managing high blood pressure, it didn’t delve into the underlying causes. High blood pressure isn’t usually caused by one single thing. Instead, it’s often the result of a combination of factors. Doctors often categorize high blood pressure into two main types based on its causes:
Primary Hypertension (Essential Hypertension)
For most adults, high blood pressure is primary or essential hypertension. This type tends to develop gradually over many years and doesn’t have a single identifiable cause. Instead, it’s linked to several risk factors, including:
- Age: The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. Blood vessels tend to lose some of their elasticity as people get older, which can contribute to increased blood pressure.
- Family history: Hypertension often runs in families. If your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure, you’re at a higher risk of developing it.
- Obesity or being overweight: Excess weight puts extra strain on your cardiovascular system. Being overweight or obese increases the amount of blood your body needs to circulate, which in turn can raise blood pressure.
- Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to weight gain and increases the risk of high blood pressure. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and keeps blood vessels healthy.
- High salt (sodium) intake: Consuming too much sodium can cause the body to retain fluid, which increases blood volume and blood pressure.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking can damage the heart and blood vessels over time, leading to high blood pressure.
- Stress: While stress itself may not directly cause chronic high blood pressure, it can contribute to temporary spikes in blood pressure. Chronic stress may also lead to unhealthy habits, like poor diet and lack of exercise, that increase hypertension risk.
- Race/Ethnicity: High blood pressure is more common in certain racial and ethnic groups, particularly African Americans. This may be due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.
Secondary Hypertension
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that has a specific, identifiable underlying cause. It tends to appear suddenly and can cause higher blood pressure than primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension:
- Kidney problems: Kidney disease is one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Damaged kidneys can’t effectively regulate fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, leading to increased blood pressure.
- Adrenal gland tumors (pheochromocytoma): These rare tumors can cause the adrenal glands to produce excess hormones that raise blood pressure.
- Thyroid problems: Both an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can contribute to high blood pressure.
- Congenital blood vessel defects: Some people are born with defects in their blood vessels that can affect blood flow and lead to hypertension.
- Obstructive sleep apnea: This condition, characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, can lead to increased blood pressure.
- Certain medications: Some over-the-counter and prescription medications can raise blood pressure, including:
- Decongestants
- Pain relievers (like NSAIDs)
- Birth control pills
- Certain antidepressants
- Some herbal supplements
- Illegal drugs: Stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines can cause a rapid and dangerous increase in blood pressure.
Untreated high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of serious health complications, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vision problems. Regular blood pressure checks, ideally every two years starting from age 18, are essential for early detection. Individuals with risk factors or those with pre-hypertension may need more frequent monitoring.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle – including a balanced diet low in sodium, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and not smoking – is crucial for preventing and managing high blood pressure. In some cases, lifestyle changes alone may not be sufficient, and medication may be necessary to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and personalized management strategies.
