Blood Pressure – Causes and Prevention

Hypertension or high blood pressure has become a very common medical condition, globally. Those afflicted by the condition include people of all age groups, young and old. Today the world has become fast paced in every aspect and this gives rise to a lot of stress. It is this stress that is the primary reason for the millions suffering from it. The other reasons are obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive intake of junk food which contains high amount of fat and salt, sedentary lifestyle lacking healthy outdoor activities and unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking. The only way to curtail the spread of hypertension is by creating awareness of the causes and urging people to bring changes in their lifestyle accordingly.         

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it. The blood thus pumped into the arteries is carried to different parts of the body. When this pressure or force increases beyond a certain limit it is called high blood pressure. This high pressure is dangerous because the heart has to work harder to pump the blood to the body. Over a period of time it damages the arteries of the heart and other organs leading to severe complications which may sometimes turn fatal.

Know your blood pressure?

Systolic is the pressure that blood exerts on arteries and vessels while the heart is beating. It shows the maximum pressure that is exerted on the arteries. The normal range for adults is between 90 – 120 mm Hg. This is represented by the higher reading displayed on the monitor. Systolic blood pressure is known to rise with age as a result of hardening of the arteries.

Diastolic is the pressure that is exerted on the walls of the various arteries and vessels in the body in between heart beats when the heart is relaxed. It shows the minimum pressure in the arteries. The normal range for adults is between 60 – 80 mm Hg. This is conveyed by the lower reading displayed on the monitor. Diastolic readings are particularly important in monitoring the blood pressure in younger individuals.   

Causes of High Blood Pressure

Factors which influence hypertension are as follows -

• Extra weight or obesity
• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity due to sedentary lifestyle or desk jobs in offices.
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Too much salt intake
• Stress
• Genetics
• Old age
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Adrenal and thyroid disorders
• Certain medical conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney ailments, etc.
• Sleep apnea
• Certain drugs and medicines

How to Prevent High Blood Pressure

Certain changes in lifestyle, diet and habit can be very helpful in managing optimum blood pressure levels. These include -

• Maintaining a healthy weight as obesity increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. Even small amounts of weight loss can go a long way in preventing high blood pressure.
• Exercising regularly has proven that people who are physically active are less likely to develop high blood pressure, compared to people who lead a sedentary life.
• Salt is known to raise blood pressure. Reducing intake of salt will be very helpful in preventing your blood pressure from rising.
• Avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation reduces the risk of hypertension.
• Stress is one of the main causes of high blood pressure. To maintain blood pressure at the normal level, one should regularly indulge in stress busting activities like yoga, meditation, hypnosis and others.
• Some essential nutrients like Potassium and Calcium are also helpful in regulating blood pressure levels. Hence foods or supplements containing these nutrients should be consumed on a regular basis.