Hypertension can lead to edema as it strains blood vessels, causing them to leak and creating swelling. Other medical conditions, such as heart problems and thyroid disorders, can also cause edema. Pregnancy can also lead to edema, with preeclampsia being a serious medical condition. While some causes of edema are harmless, it can also be an indicator of late-stage hypertension and should be treated promptly.
Hypertension and edema are related because hypertension is one of many conditions that can lead to edema. While high blood pressure doesn’t directly cause edema, it can put strain on blood vessels, making them more prone to leak. This leakage is the main cause of edema.
The loss of blood vessels causes the kidneys to create extra sodium and fluid to compensate for the loss of fluid in the blood. This creates more blood volume, causing swelling, which in turn leads to even more blood loss through the damaged vessel or vessels. High blood pressure can contribute to this cycle because higher-than-normal blood pressure can put too much pressure and strain weakened blood vessels. That way, they may be more likely to lose.
Although high blood pressure and edema are related, there is often another trigger or underlying medical condition that leads to the vessel leaking. These can include certain medications, thyroid disorders, heart problems, and a host of others. Conditions that can lead to high blood pressure or that can be caused by high blood pressure can also be linked to an increased risk of edema.
Pregnancy is one of the most common conditions that can lead to high blood pressure and edema. Pregnant women are prone to water retention and bloating, and this usually doesn’t indicate a problem. That said, sometimes preeclampsia or eclampsia can become a problem. This condition causes extremely high blood pressure and severe swelling of the ankles, legs, feet, and hands. It is a serious medical condition that can be life-threatening without proper treatment.
Hypertension and edema are not always related. Edema can refer to swelling caused by any number of things, most of which are completely normal and harmless. These can include minor dehydration, a woman’s menstrual period, being at a high altitude, malnutrition and oral contraceptives.
While most cases of bloating are temporary and not serious, anyone who thinks they may have high blood pressure or who is experiencing increased water retention and bloating should see a healthcare professional right away. Most conditions can be treated successfully with early intervention. That said, edema can be an indicator of late-stage hypertension, which is a serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment.
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