Saturday, July 2, 2011

Identifying the Typical Causes of High Blood Pressure

By Athena Hunter


Having your blood pressure checked regularly is the only way to know if you have high blood pressure which has many causes. One single cause has not be identified for high blood pressure but there are a variety of factors that make it more likely. Let's take a look at some conditions that can cause high blood pressure.

Smoking is one activity that can cause high blood pressure. Along with all of the other health problems smoking can cause, it can also increase your blood pressure. The reasons that smokers often have high blood pressure and heart problems is that smoking blocks the arteries. The more you smoke, the more of a risk it is, both for high blood pressure and many other illnesses. But people who smoke in moderation, or who are frequently around others who smoke, are endangering their health. While it's not always easy to quit smoking, it's worth the effort, as this is a simple way to lower your blood pressure.

While sometimes the causes of high blood pressure can be found, in many cases the cause is not known. Essential hypertension is the name for high blood pressure with no identifiable cause, and this actually accounts for the majority of cases.

Certain long term illnesses can raise your risk of developing high blood pressure. Kidney disease is a common cause of hypertension, especially in older people. You can develop high blood pressure if you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes as both of them damage the kidneys. If there is a family history of either kidney disease or diabetes, you are at a greater risk for developing these problems. 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.

Taking prescribed, over the counter or illegal drugs can also increase your blood pressure. It's common knowledge that high blood pressure can be caused by using cocaine and other illegal drugs. Yet you can also have your blood pressure raised by taking certain prescription drugs, such as birth control pills and many others. drugs can also cause hypertension, especially when taken regularly. If you are prone to high blood pressure, then, research any medication you take and always read the labels. If you suspect any medicine you are taking is causing a rise in your blood pressure, be sure to mention this to your doctor.

No matter what is causing hypertension, you should not underestimate how dangerous it can be. The main reason people's blood pressure gets out of control is because they don't monitor it, or don't listen to their doctors. High blood pressure can have a variety of causes, some known and some unknown, and we've explored some of the possibilities in this article. Fortunately, once this problem has been diagnosed, there are quite a few ways to manage it and reduce your blood pressure.




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