High blood pressure can be caused by various factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, structural defects, and certain drugs. Primary hypertension has no known cause, while secondary hypertension can be accelerated by weight gain and inactivity. Eating too much salt and too little potassium can also lead to high blood pressure. Alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs can also cause hypertension.
High blood pressure, or high blood pressure, can be a life-threatening medical condition. The cause, or pathogenesis, of hypertension depends on the type of hypertension involved. Little is known about the cause of primary hypertension other than congenital. The pathogenesis of secondary hypertension typically includes concurrent medical conditions, a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and structural defects. Some drugs can cause high blood pressure, as can illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Primary or essential hypertension has no known cause. Some people develop high blood pressure as they age, even if they have never exhibited any of the behaviors or health problems known to cause secondary high blood pressure. Some studies suggest that this may have to do with structural abnormalities of the heart, arteries and veins.
In secondary hypertension, people often inherit a tendency to hypertension. In these cases, the pathogenesis of hypertension may be accelerated by weight gain and inactivity. People who are born with or develop diabetes are at risk for high blood pressure. Because the kidneys play an important role in cleansing the blood, people with a malfunctioning kidney system can develop high blood pressure.
A sedentary lifestyle is a prevalent pathogenesis of hypertension, as is a diet high in unhealthy fats. Both of these factors can lead to poor circulation and obesity, other factors that contribute to high blood pressure. Eliminating saturated fats, partially hydrogenated oils, and trans fats usually prevents dangerous plaque from building up in your arteries. Exercise helps reduce triglycerides, or fats in the blood, which can have a beneficial effect on reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
Eating too much salt is also related to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Many people’s diets contain far more than the 500 to 2,400 milligrams of sodium their bodies require each day. Sodium is often hidden in packaged and processed foods. Some items on fast food menus contain a whole day’s worth of sodium. Some people don’t process sodium properly, which can lead to a hypertensive condition.
Too little potassium in the diet is also a typical pathogenesis of hypertension. Potassium, contained in foods such as bananas and avocados, keeps sodium levels in balance. If potassium levels are too low or a person is unable to absorb or process potassium, sodium levels are likely to remain elevated, often leading to high blood pressure.
Drugs such as decongestants, birth control pills and cold medicines can sometimes become a pathogenesis of hypertension. Drinking alcohol and using tobacco products can also cause high blood pressure over time. Stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels.
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