Multiple Issues Factor into the Cause of High Blood Pressure
The cause of high blood pressure is not always simple to pin down and the reason is that there are multiple issues which contribute to the problem. In order to comprehend them, you’ve to learn first of all that there are two forms of high blood pressure – essential or primary hypertension and secondary hypertension.
Essential Hypertension Profiled
Primary or essential hypertension is by far the more common of the two types with about 90%-95% of high blood pressure patients having it. The cause of high blood pressure for the essential or primary form is actually based on several issues rather than just one. Some of these issues you can’t change, but a big percentage of these causes can be treated or resolved successfully.
Genetics or your family history is one cause of high blood pressure of the primary type and obviously there is nothing you can do about your genetic code. If one or both parents have hypertension, your chances double for developing it as well, thus explaining how genetics plays a part.
Diet and exercise are often lumped together as one cause of high blood pressure in this predominant type and it makes sense. You are what you eat so if your diet is loaded with fat and cholesterol, you can bet those two components are clogging your arteries. Lots of salt is another factor as well so following a new diet plan low in sodium as well as fat and cholesterol can only be a good thing for you. As you cannot lose weight by diet alone, you need exercise to help you burn the fat and calories which in turn strengthen your heart muscle.
Vices such as smoking and drinking can be lumped together as well to form a cause of high blood pressure. Smoking leeches the oxygen out of your blood, causing your heart to work harder to get the necessary oxygenated blood throughout your body. With the drinking, alcohol is dehydrating and also causes your blood vessels to constrict, again making the heart work harder.
Secondary Hypertension Profiled
The remaining 5% to 10% of the population with hypertension fall within the secondary category which is typically caused by some type of medication you are taking or another health condition. The cause of high blood pressure of the secondary type must be found through a series of tests conducted by your doctor, particularly when you are in good health otherwise.
Both legal over the counter or prescription drugs as well as illegal substances can be a cause of high blood pressure. Body chemistry differs from person to person, so what may raise your blood pressure may not do so in someone else. Pregnancy conditions like Preeclampsia is a cause of high blood pressure just as diabetes and alcoholism could be too. Kidney disease, thyroid abnormalities and adrenal gland problems all contribute to hypertension. Because your other health issues or medications could be the cause of high blood pressure in your situation, be sure to ask for additional testing from your physician should any current ones prove inconclusive.
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