What Are The Main Causes Of High Blood Pressure?
We are all very much individuals and as such we all react to different situations in different ways. Our lifestyle, diet and stress levels can all effect our health and can all be said to be the primary causes of high blood pressure. Although serious, if discovered early enough steps can be taken to rectify high blood pressure and even cure it. Left undetected or ignored it can prove to be fatal, it is after all known as the silent killer because symptoms are not always apparent. Noticeable symptoms include blurred vision, dizziness, headaches, breathlessness and a noticeable increase in heart rate. If you find you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis it is very important that you get medical attention as soon as possible.
High blood pressure is divided into two groups known as stage 1 and stage 2. The latter being the more serious when the systolic reading is constantly above 140 and the diastolic has a reading of 90 or more. You may also find that your doctor may talk of hypertension which is merely another term for high blood pressure.
Some of the causes of high blood pressure are reasonably common knowledge such as being over weight and having too high a salt intake. Perhaps the less well known causes of high blood pressure are more of a problem due to ignorance. These causes include too much alcohol, depression, anxiety, kidney problems and it can also be inherent in families. If high blood pressure is not treated it can be fatal. The most common causes of death are due to heart attacks and strokes. As well as medication prescribed by your doctor there are a great many things you can do to counteract the causes of high blood pressure for example changing your diet, giving up cigarettes, taking some physical exercise, reducing the amount of alcohol you consume as well as trying various natural remedies such as garlic capsules, magnesium supplements and so on.
Your diet can really be one of the major causes of high blood pressure. The total daily allowance of sodium is only 1500mg which in reality is very little salt. If you regularly eat ready meals or take away meals you will most likely take in far more sodium per day. In addition high quantities of saturated fat and cholesterol cause arteries to become blocked making the heart work even harder to pump blood round the circulatory system causing a rise in blood pressure. Take a look at some of the labels on some ready meals you will be shocked!
In today's world we are all under constant pressure at work, at home, everywhere. Stress is one of the massive causes of high blood pressure as well as having an impact on general well being. Anxiety has a similar effect on our arteries to eating large amounts of saturated fat, increasing the heart rate to pump blood round the body thus raising the blood pressure.
It is regularly the case that high blood pressure runs in families, which basically means that if any of your parents have high blood pressure and you do not suffer from it now there is an increased chance you will at some point in your life. If this is the case you can if you choose, live your life in a way which will minimise any chance of high blood pressure. A healthy well balanced diet, low in sodium, low in fat and alcohol. Take time out to relax and get rid of the high levels of stress we all encounter and make time for some exercise which in itself can be a great method of relaxation. One final thing if you smoke cigarettes STOP! If you do not smoke do not start!
These are the main causes of high blood pressure. If you recognise any of the symptoms mentioned please seek medical attention immediately.