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 and vision loss.
*Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure*
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms of it. That’s why the condition has been dubbed a ‘Silent Killer’.
In rare cases, and if blood pressure reaches dangerous levels, a person may get headaches or more nosebleeds than normal.
*Causes and Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure*
The following can increase your chances of developing high blood pressure.
*Older Age:* The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age; the older you are, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure. According to the AHA, blood vessels gradually lose their elasticity over time, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
It must be noted as well that the risk of prehypertension and high blood pressure has been increasing in recent years also in young people too, including children and teens, possibly because of the rise in obesity in these populations, reports the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
*Race* : According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure is more common in Black American adults than in white, Asian, or Hispanic American adults.
*Gender* : Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, until age 64, per the AHA.right up arrow However, after that age, women are more likely to have high blood pressure.
*Family History:* Having a family history of high blood pressure increases your risk, as the condition tends to run in families.
*Overweight:* The more you weigh, the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Per the Mayo Clinic, when the volume of blood pumping through your blood vessels increases, the pressure on your artery walls also rises.right up arrow
*Lack of Physical Activity:* People who are not active tend to have a higher heart rate and higher blood pressure than those who are physically active, according to the Mayo Clinic.right up arrow Not exercising also increases the risk of being overweight.
*Tobacco Use:* When you smoke or chew tobacco, your blood pressure rises temporarily, partly from the effects of nicotine. Moreover, chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls, which can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.right up arrow Being exposed to secondhand smoke may also increase your blood pressure.
*Dietary Choices* : What you choose to eat (and not to eat) can increase your risk of hypertension
Too much sodium can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.
Since *potassium* helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells, not getting enough of it can raise blood pressure.
*Alcohol Consumption* : Over time, heavy alcohol use can damage the heart and lead to heart failure, stroke, and irregular heart rhythm. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
*Stress* : Being under intense stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure, if you try to cope with stress by overeating, using tobacco, or drinking alcohol, all of these can contribute to high blood pressure.
*Chronic Conditions:* Having kidney disease, sleep apnea, or diabetes can affect blood pressure,
*Pregnancy* : Being pregnant can cause an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure occurs in 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies in women ages 20 to 44.right up arrow
*Birth Control* : Women who take birth control pills have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. It’s more likely to occur when women are overweight, have had high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy, have a family history of blood pressure, smoke, or have mild kidney disease.
*Causes of Secondary Hypertension*
When high blood pressure arises suddenly due to an identifiable condition, it’s called secondary hypertension.
The following conditions can lead to secondary hypertension, including:
Kidney problems
Adrenal gland tumors
Thyroid problems
Blood vessel defects
Obstructive sleep apnea
Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol use
Illegal drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines.
*Drugs That Can Cause High Blood Pressure*
Medications that you take to control other health conditions, such as arthritis, epilepsy, or allergies, can cause your blood pressure to rise.
Such medications can also interfere with the ability of antihypertensive drugs to keep blood pressure down.
The drugs below are some of the ones that may negatively affect blood pressure.
*Pain Medications* Common pain and anti-inflammatory medicines can lead to the retention of water, which can increase blood pressure and create problems with the kidneys.
Examples include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
Indomethacin (Indocin)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Piroxicam (Feldene)
Antidepressants.
These drugs work by changing the body’s response to chemicals that affect mood. That can also lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Examples of antidepressants that may elevate blood pressure include:
Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Tricyclic antidepressants
Decongestants
These medicines, which include common cough, cold, and allergy drugs, are known to raise blood pressure and to alter the effectiveness of blood pressure medication.
Examples include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Contac) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE).
Hormones Birth control pills can also affect blood pressure. Women who take birth control pills usually experience a small rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the top and bottom numbers that are determined when you get your blood pressure checked).
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 (MDMA), and amphetamines, are also known to increase blood pressure.
*How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?*
Blood pressure checks are part of routine doctor visits. To check your blood pressure, your healthcare provider will place an inflatable cuff around your arm and use a pressure-measuring gauge.
Before giving a diagnosis of high blood pressure, your physician will likely take two or three readings during separate appointments. Your physician may also ask you to keep a record of blood pressure measurements you take at home. That’s because blood pressure varies throughout the day, and some people may be anxious before or during a doctor visit, causing elevated blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is consistently 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher, you will most likely be diagnosed with high blood pressure.
The guidelines recommend earlier intervention to prevent further increases in blood pressure that could lead to health problems.right up arrow
If you have high blood pressure, your physician will take a full medical history and conduct a physical exam. Other routine tests may be given, including a blood test, urine test, cholesterol test, and an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram to check for signs of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.right up arrow.
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