Saturday, March 19, 2011

Finding Causes of High Blood Pressure And Treating Them

By Andrew Hoffmann


In many cases, high blood pressure (or hypertension) is something people live with for a long time before it's finally diagnosed. You may not have any early symptoms, so make sure you get your blood pressure taken on a regular basis. If you are aware of the causes of high blood pressure it's easier to avoid it, so we will now explore some of these.

High blood pressure is common in pregnant women but it is usually severe although it does sometimes need to be treated with medication. A sudden rise in blood pressure to extreme levels during pregnancy, called preeclampsia, can be dangerous for both mother and baby. Women who have high blood pressure before becoming pregnant are at a greater risk for this but it can still happen in women with no history of hypertension. This is why it's important for pregnant women to monitor their blood pressure.

Unfortunately, however, as obesity increases in younger people, we are now seeing high blood pressure develop at earlier ages lately. In other words, it makes good sense to get regular blood pressure readings, and the older you get the more important this becomes. Of course, your diet and lifestyle have a lot to do with it as well, and age is only one factor when it comes to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be caused by stress as well. Our busy schedules with work and life, long hours adds to our stress, learn to manage it. Learn to relax rather than letting everything get to you. People who are frequently angry, tense or stressed out are more likely to develop hypertension. Your own emotions can affect you physically, emotionally and psychologically. Reducing your stress is a great way to get your high blood pressure under control.

Medication and certain drugs may also contribute to high blood pressure. Stimulants of any kind, such as cocaine, are known to be dangerous to your blood pressure and heart. In some cases, medications prescribed for a variety of conditions, such as birth control and many psychiatric drugs, can also cause high blood pressure. drugs can also cause hypertension, especially when taken regularly. If your blood pressure is high, make sure you pay attention to any medications you take, even over the counter ones. Anytime you suspect a drug or medicine is contributing to your high blood pressure, ask your doctor about it immediately.

The beneficial kind of cholesterol is HDL, and this does the opposite of LDL, and can help lower your blood pressure. The healthy type of fats, which are found in oils such as olive, coconut and many fish oils can help to improve your cholesterol levels, along with getting enough exercise. Avoiding unhealthy foods, such as hydrogenated oils, processed foods and most fast foods can help you to reduce the bad cholesterol in your diet. Your cholesterol levels and your blood pressure are often related, and controlling both of these are essential. These are only a few of the causes to be aware of for hypertension. Get regular checkups if you have a family history or any of the above risk factors for high blood pressure.




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