What Causes High Blood Pressure and How to Lower Your Blood Pressure

What Causes High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension is one of the most common medical conditions among the United States. Hypertension is a term that is used when someones blood pressure reads over 140 consistently and its really important to monitor your blood pressure to make sure that it isn't high. Blood pressure is essentially a measurement of how much force or pressure your heart is putting out through blood flow in the arteries. When your blood pressure is high, your arteries are under more stress and over a long period of time, high blood pressure will damage your arteries.

The Primary Factors that Cause High Blood Pressure
How much salt you have in your body, and being dehydrated.
The condition of your kidneys, nervous system or blood vessels
Body hormone levels
Excessive Drinking or Alcohol Abuse
Stress and Anxiety
Arteriosclerosis
Birth Control Pills
Cocaine Use
Cushing Syndrome
Diabetes
Kidney Diseases including kidney failure, renal artery stenosis, inflammation of the kidneys, renal vascular obstruction.
Smoking
Obesity
Pregnancy (also called gestational hypertension)
Medications like appetite suppressants, cortocosteroids, and migraine medications.
Lack of Exercise
Not drinking enough water
Too much Caffeine


How To Lower Your Blood Pressure

Lowering your blood pressure requires a change in lifestyle and its also very important that you are aware of the foods that increase blood pressure as well as other things that may cause it. Its best to avoid sodium and minimize that amount of salt in your diet. Fried foods are very salty and will surely increase blood pressure. Alcohol also temporarily raises your blood pressure and its best to avoid it. Nicotine is also bad for blood pressure as it causes our heart to beat faster and it constricts your blood vessels, definitely avoid it.

Minimize the amount of stress in your life as stress and anxiety are proven to increase blood pressure as well. Try to include activities that help you to relax and enjoy life to the fullest and this will help you control your blood pressure. Furthermore, avoid unhealthy foods that are high in sodium or high in fat.

Try to include plenty of raw foods in your diet such as fruits, vegetables and juices. Drink plenty of water. In fact, when my uncle had high blood pressure, a nurse recommended that he drink water with lemon a few times a day, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Try to eat healthy and don't eat foods that are processed. This requires a change in lifestyle and also requires that you take interest in foods that do not have high amounts of sodium and saturated fat.

Foods You Should Avoid That Cause High Blood Pressure
Fried Foods like fried chicken are heavily salted, fattening and loaded with sodium.
Foods that are high in sugar. Sugar causes weight gain and obesity is linked to high blood pressure.
Red meats that are high in saturated fats and trans fats.
Processed Food contains a lot of sodium and hydrogenated oils.
Limit the soy sauce intake when eating sushi, and consider changing to low sodium soy sauce.
Alcohol can cause high blood pressure or hypertension, try to avoid it.


Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure
Water with fresh squeezed lemon. Drink plenty of water everyday
Fruit
Plain rice and or noodles
Berries are really good for your veins and arteries and help them stay elastic
Losing Weight
Exercising Regularly


The Potential Risks Associated with Hypertension

The risks associated with hypertension can be very serious and can lead to more serious health problems.  Some of the complications that can arise due to high blood pressure include Aortic dissection, blood vessel damage or arteriosclerosis, brain damage, congestive heart failure, kidney damage, kidney failure, heart attack, hypertensive heart disease, vision loss and even a stroke.