High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This is influenced by two main factors: the amount of blood the heart pumps and how narrow or stiff the arteries are. The more blood pumped and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure
Causes of High Blood Pressure
There are two main types of high blood pressure:
- Primary (Essential) Hypertension: This type has no identifiable single cause and tends to develop gradually over many years. It is linked to lifestyle factors and genetic predisposition
- Secondary Hypertension: Caused by underlying conditions such as kidney disease, adrenal gland tumors, thyroid problems, congenital heart defects, or certain medications and drugs. It usually appears suddenly and causes higher blood pressure than primary hypertension
Key Factors That Make Blood Pressure High
- Age: Blood pressure tends to increase with age
- Genetics/Family History: Having close relatives with high blood pressure raises your risk
- Obesity or Overweight: Excess weight changes blood vessels and kidney function, increasing blood pressure
- Lack of Physical Activity: Sedentary lifestyle contributes to weight gain and higher heart rate, raising blood pressure
- Diet High in Salt (Sodium): Too much salt causes the body to retain fluid, increasing blood volume and pressure
- Low Potassium Intake: Potassium helps balance sodium levels; low potassium can worsen blood pressure
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or vaping temporarily raises blood pressure and damages artery walls over time
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol is linked to higher blood pressure
- Stress: Chronic stress and related behaviors like overeating, smoking, or drinking can increase blood pressure
- Certain Chronic Conditions: Kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea can cause or worsen hypertension
- Pregnancy and Some Medications: Birth control pills and pregnancy can raise blood pressure
How High Blood Pressure Develops
High blood pressure damages artery walls, causing tiny tears. The body repairs these by sending cells that can lead to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), which narrows arteries further, increasing blood pressure in a harmful cycle
. In summary, high blood pressure results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and medical factors that increase the heart's workload or narrow the arteries, leading to sustained elevated pressure in the circulatory system
