High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that many people suffer from. Even if you don’t have symptoms, it’s possible to have high blood pressure, and this can lead to life threatening conditions if it’s not treated. The following are some of the factors that can cause high blood pressure.
Some people with adrenal or thyroid disorders develop high blood pressure, and if these conditions aren’t managed it can contribute to hypertension. High blood pressure can be caused by hypothyroidism. Problems in the adrenal gland can also cause your high blood pressure. Problems of the thyroid or adrenal glands can have a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain and joint pain. These conditions are diagnosed with medical blood tests which is why many people don’t know for a long time that they have the condition. When such an illness is diagnosed, patients are generally given medication that has to be taken regularly, and this can help reduce blood pressure and control other symptoms.
You are at a greater risk for developing high blood pressure if you have certain long term illnesses. Especially in the elderly, kidney disease is a common cause of hypertension. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can also bring about high blood pressure, as this disease often causes damage to the kidneys. You are at a greater risk for developing kidney disease or diabetes if there is a family history. Your doctor will want to monitor your blood pressure if you are ever diagnosed with either diabetes or any kind of kidney disease and may even prescribe medication to help manage it.
High blood pressure is often associated with high cholesterol, and both of these can lead to heart disease and other serious health problems. Not all cholesterol is harmful, however, and researchers have identified “good” as well as “bad” varieties. Atherosclerosis, or blockage of the arteries, as well as hypertension, can result from having high levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol.
On the other hand, HDL is the good kind of cholesterol, and this actually reverses the damage done by bad cholesterol. By eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise, you can improve your cholesterol levels. Unhealthy fats such as trans fats, junk food and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to bad cholesterol in your body. Lowering your cholesterol often helps to lower your blood pressure as both are important factors when it comes to your overall health.
While many factors can cause high blood pressure, the important thing is to watch it and take steps to lower it. Your doctor can give you recommendations on how to manage your blood pressure, and you should take this advice seriously. The causes and elements related to high blood pressure are varied, and we’ve only had room to cover a few of them. Fortunately, once this problem has been diagnosed, there are quite a few ways to manage it and reduce your blood pressure.