Most people know what high blood pressure is. And most also know that in severe cases, high blood pressure can lead to major illness and often become life threatening. What many people don’t know is how widespread the problem is. Current estimates are that approximately 72 million Americans are affected by high blood pressure in some form or another. That huge number demonstrates the magnitude of the problem, and explains why high blood pressure control is such a serious issue.
The medical jury is still out on the basic causes of high blood pressure. But there are certain factors that are generally accepted as being the leading reasons or indirect causes of the problem. Here’s a look at the top 10.
1. Obesity. A shocking 33% and more of Americans are overweight to some extent. This excess weight puts an extra burden on the heart which results in the heart pumping harder and the blood pressure rising. This simple fact is the most common cause of high blood pressure today.
2. Junk food. Americans are known for their love of junk and high cholesterol foods. While growing awareness has resulted in a drop in the consumption of these foods, they are still eaten too much and remain a leading contributor to high blood pressure.
3. Sedentary lifestyle. Far too many people are tied to their desks or computers from morning to night. This sedentary lifestyle causes the muscles of the heart to weaken and can lead to the formation of blood clots that can restrict the flow of blood, causing a rise in blood pressure.
4. Insufficient exercise. Coupled with the sedentary life is the lack of physical exercise – being a couch potato means that your metabolism is being slowed down and this makes it difficult for your body to rid itself of all the toxins that come from the food we eat and the pollution that surrounds us. These toxins can cause blood pressure to rise needlessly.
5. Stress. Too much stress in your life causes the heart to pump faster and the body to release adrenalin, which speeds up the metabolism and results in a rise in blood pressure. The more stressed a person is, the longer the blood pressure stays high.
6. Sodium. High levels of salt (sodium) intake cause blood pressure to rise and stay elevated.
7. Aging. The normal aging process affects the muscles of the heart and can be a cause of high blood pressure.
8. Disease. Conditions such as diabetes or kidney infections can affect the functioning of the heart and cause blood pressure to rise.
9. Adrenal or thyroid gland problems. These conditions are yet another cause of high blood pressure in adults because the chemical changes they make to the body affect the heart function.
10. Genetic issues. Oftentimes there is a predisposition to heart problems and high blood pressure that results from hereditary influences.
Many of these causes of high blood pressure are manageable with lifestyle changes involving natural high blood pressure control. If changing your life to get your blood pressure under control seems like too much to handle, you should really take a look at Blood Pressure Truth, which presents an easy to follow approach to treating your condition without medication. This book is a comprehensive guide to the changes you need to make (and they’re not that hard!) in order to enjoy normal blood pressure once again. With care, high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable.
