What Causes High Blood Pressure

During blood circulation in our body, the blood exerts some pressure on the walls of the arteries, as this is what we know as 'blood pressure'. It is actually the measure of how hard the walls of the arteries are being pushed by the blood. The normal blood pressure level of a healthy person is less than 120/80. But, sometimes it might happen that due to certain medical reasons, the blood pressure level might increase to around 140 -159/90 - 00 (according to the American Heart Association). Nearly 70 million people in America suffer from this problem of high blood pressure and it's mainly the people who are above 60 - 65 years of age, who are at a risk of suffering from high blood pressure. So what causes high blood pressure in men as well as in women? Is it only because of age or are there other reasons to? Here are some of the most common causes which you should know about in order to prevent suffering from this problem.

Causes

High blood pressure can also be termed as hypertension. This person is at a great risk because it causes the heart to pump blood faster and this can often lead to hardening of the arteries which can also lead to various heart problems. People believe that worrying too much, stress, anxiety and so on are some of the main causes. The truth is that these conditions having nothing or little to do with increase in blood pressure and a person who is absolutely relaxed and does not worry much, is also at a risk. Some of the causes are known while some are not known; and the high pressure for which the causes are known is termed as Secondary Hypertension while the other one (causes not known) is termed as Essential Hypertension. First let us see what could lead to the essential hypertension.

Essential Hypertension
Hereditary or family history is sometimes seen as the main cause of essential hypertension, and that this could be one of the main reason in children. If anyone in their family is a patient of high blood pressure, then they too are at a risk of suffering from this problem.

Secondary Hypertension
Let us now come to the secondary hypertension and it's main causes.

• Kidney problems are one main cause. Renal vascular disease or Renal parenchymal disease can often lead to high blood pressure.
• Wondering what causes blood pressure to rise during pregnancy? Lack of proper level of calcium in the body, lack of proper nutritional diet, hormonal imbalance and so on, during pregnancy.
• Including excess salt in your daily diet and lack of physical activities, are some of the other causes.
• Certain neurological problems like increase of pressure inside the space within the skull, which is occupied by the brain or lead poison, could be some of the other causes of increase in the blood pressure level.
• A person who smokes a lot or an obese person.
• Certain disorders in the endocrine system increases the blood pressure level. Problems like Cushing's syndrome, tumors in the adrenal gland, hyperthyroidism or excessive secretion of aldosterone (hormone controlling the level of sodium and potassium in the body), can also lead to the health issue.
• Some of the other causes are increase in age as well as consumption of alcohol (in excess). Stress can also lead to this problem.
• Taking in certain drugs like birth control pills, cocaine, nasal decongestants, anti depressant pills and even drugs like the non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, can be a major cause for rise in blood pressure level.

Sometimes, a person might know that their pressure has increased, hence as soon as one reaches the age of 45 years, they have to be very careful about their blood pressure, because this can often lead to heart attacks or strokes. You can follow a special diet in order to prevent further problems.