Hyper Tension Revealed

Causes of Hypertension

The causes for hypertension are sometimes easy to diagnose and sometimes appears without a definite cause. Blood pressure is technically the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries and veins. When the causes of hypertension cannot be identified, it is considered primary hypertension and when it can be associated with other conditions, it is called secondary hypertension.

Obesity

It is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Symptoms of hypertension are often undetected by the patient. That is not to say the causes of hypertension are undetectable. One of the main causes of hypertension is obesity. Obesity is someone being 30 or more lbs over their expected weight. Obesity is also associated with sleep apnea (where patients have moments when breathing temporarily stops during sleep). Recent studies show forty to sixty percent of people with sleep apnea also have arterial hypertension.

Lifestyle Choices

There are many links to lifestyle choices that contribute to the causes of hypertension. Smoking and excessive alcohol intake are a leading factor. Reducing alcohol to one to two drinks and quitting smoking can help to lower high blood pressure. Lack of exercises is another simple to change lifestyle choice that can have dramatic results. Diet can play a key part in the causes of hypertension. Foods high in cholesterol and fat are very detrimental. These form restricting deposits on the lining of the arteries that increase the force needed to push the blood past the area. A high salt intake is also linked to being a contributing factor in causes of hypertension.

Age and Heredity

There also causes linked to age. As the heart ages its ability to function properly can become leading causes of hypertension. With age often problems with the kidneys develop. When the kidneys are not able to adequately remove urine from the body an increase in blood volume occurs. The heart must pump harder to maintain blood to vital organs increasing blood pressure. Often diuretics are used to combat the effects of failing kidneys. Heredity is also a key factor in hypertension. Various heart conditions and kidney diseases are passed from generation to generation. Complications and medications for these conditions are all causes for hypertension. Diabetes causes both problems with the heart, kidneys, and other organs, and is often associated along family lines. Often people with arterial hypertension have family members with the same diagnosis. There also many medical conditions that are causes for hypertension. Adrenal tumors such as pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, and Cushing's syndrome are related. Often treatment for these can lower blood pressure. Both treatment for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, where the pituitary gland produces too much or too little thyroid, can help lower blood pressure. Patients diagnosed with any of these conditions should also be screened by high blood pressure.

Drug effects

Certain prescription drugs such as; orticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, epoetin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have side affects that are often causes for hypertension. Over-the-counter pain relievers such ibuprofen and nasal decongestants contain chemicals capable of raising blood pressure. Weight loss pills and headache remedies often contain caffeine, which can significantly raise blood pressure. Illegal street drugs such as cocaine have also been proven to be causes for hypertension. Often unconsidered causes of hypertension are emotional problems and stress. Many a doctors have seen an increase in blood pressure just from the stress of the office visit.