3 Explained Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. It’s also known as high blood pressure, which occurs when the blood flow through your arteries is too strong. It can lead to heart disease and other serious health issues, so it’s essential to understand what causes hypertension and how to treat it.
The causes of Hypertension and High Blood Pressure are varied, but they all have one thing in common: they can be managed.
Here are the common causes of hypertension and high blood pressure:
A Diet That’s High in Salt
A diet high in salt is a significant cause of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
High salt intake increases your risk for high blood pressure by causing water retention, raising your blood volume, and putting added stress on your heart to pump more blood. Increased blood volume also increases your heart’s work to circulate blood throughout the body.
The kidneys help regulate the amount of sodium in your body by removing excess sodium through urine. However, if you consume too much sodium, your kidneys may not be able to remove it fast enough, and this leads to elevated blood pressure.
There are many ways to reduce the amount of salt in your diet:
- Cooking at home or eating out restaurant foods tends to be higher in salt than home-cooked meals because restaurants cook with commercially prepared sauces and other foods that contain large amounts of sodium.
- Selecting low-sodium versions of canned soups, sauces, and condiments read nutrition labels carefully, so you know how much sodium is in each serving.
Being Overweight or Obese
Being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure. The more fat you have, the harder your heart has to work. Fatty tissue secretes chemicals that make it easier for your body to retain water, increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure.
Excess weight may also cause fat to accumulate around internal organs, including the kidneys and liver, which affects how those organs work and can increase stress on the heart muscle. Excess body fat also increases triglyceride levels in the blood and promotes insulin resistance (a condition in which cells do not respond appropriately to insulin). Both can raise blood pressure levels over time. you must know exercises to reduce your high blood pressure.
Genetics
Genetics is a factor in high blood pressure. It’s the most critical risk factor. If one of your parents has high blood pressure, you have an increased chance of developing it yourself. The risk is even greater if your parents have high blood pressure.
If you’re genetically predisposed to high blood pressure, there are things you can do to help prevent or control it. One of the most important things you can do is maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease and stroke both conditions that can contribute to high blood pressure.
Overall, the best way to prevent hypertension and high blood pressure is to keep a healthy weight. When you are obese or overweight, your body must work hard to circulate the blood through your arteries and veins; this puts added strain on your heart. Exercise and a healthy diet can help regulate your blood pressure and consider what foods your body doesn’t like.