What Causes Hypertension And High Blood Pressure?

One of the most common questions anyone will have when being diagnosed with pre-hypertension or high blood pressure is what causes high blood pressure and hypertension?

The American Heart Association (AMA) has stated that there's really no way of pinpointing the exact cause, but it can be narrowed down to a variety of possible factors. You could have higher blood pressure than normal from just one of these factors or from a combination of them.

High Blood Pressure Cause Factors

Family History - This is one that you have no control over, but is true nonetheless. If your family has a history of hypertension and heart related issues, the odds are that you can also have it. This is not 'etched in stone', but it is more likely to pass from parents and grandparents on down.

Weight - This is one of the bigger factors that make you many more times prone to high blood pressure levels. Obesity and hypertension fit together like a glove. The extra weight from being obese creates a strain on your heart and causes it to have to work harder to supply the necessary blood through your arteries. The good news is that this is one factor that you do have control over. In many cases, losing the extra weight and eating healthier foods can have a positive effect.

Smoking and Alcohol - If you smoke cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, or you are a drinker, it has a huge effect on your blood pressure. It is harmful to the blood vessels and walls in your body and causes your heart to work much harder than normal. Alcohol and tobacco also have detrimental effects on your heart and other organs in your body as well.

Stress - Another major factor is stress in your life. It's a fact that too much stress has damaging effects on many parts of our body, and this factor alone is a big cause of hypertension and high blood pressure.

Inactive Lifestyle - When you do not exercise or stay active, your heart has to work harder to continue pumping blood through the vessels. An inactive lifestyle also leads to weight issues and other health problems.

These are a few of the major causes of hypertension and high blood pressure. There are many others of course, such as sodium intake, sleep apnea, potassium intake and many other smaller factors as well.