Most people are aware of the high risk factors for high blood pressure such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy foods, obesity, stress, smoking and alcohol abuse. However, there are also some lesser known factors that can predispose you to the disease. Here are some things to avoid.
Eating Outside
The American Journal of Hypertension recently published a study which linked high blood pressure with people who eat out too often. According to this research, young people who usually go to restaurants are at a higher risk of high blood pressure compared to those who prepared their own food at home. Some restaurant foods are known for their notoriously high salt and fat content, two ingredients which are bad for the heart.
If you dine out often, you must be careful about your meal choices so as to avoid high blood pressure.
Medications
Drug-induced hypertension is HBP that is triggered by the use of a chemical substance, drug or medication. While medicine is meant to heal and improve body health, some can also raise your blood pressure levels.
Corticosteroids – anti-inflammatory medicines which are meant for treating arthritis, asthma and a few other chronic conditions, when taken for a long time may cause or worsen high blood pressure since they restrict blood vessels. Similarly, migraine medications such as Midrin relieve pain by constricting blood vessels throughout the body. This, naturally, causes a rise in blood pressure.
People with cardiovascular conditions should always consult a doctor before buying any over the counter medications.
Lack Of Vitamin D
Over the years, high blood pressure statistics have shown that this condition increases in ethnic groups which are farther away from the equator. Vitamin D, which is made in the body when it is exposed to the sun, has long been suspected to be associated with HBP if it is not sufficient in the body. In 2002, the Journal of Clinical Investigation confirmed these suspicions when it published a detailed account of how Vitamin D lowers blood pressure.
Without enough Vitamin D in the body, a molecule called renin is made in excess quantities, causing the breakdown of angiotensinogen, another molecule, into angiotensin I. Angiotensin I is then converted into angiotensin II, which causes HBP. Vitamin D arrests this problem because it controls renin production, ultimately lowering blood pressure.
Heavy Metal Toxicity
It is surprising that heavy metal poisoning has not been given adequate attention with regards to high blood pressure. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium may play a significant role in causing the condition, according to various studies that have been published. Such metals directly interfere with metabolic processes in the body and can result in impairment and dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.
It is virtually impossible to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals — from mercury–amalgam teeth fillings and lead in paints and tap water to chemicals in processed food and cosmetic products. The question, therefore, is not whether people have these metals in their bodies, but in what quantities.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which some tissues found in the throat collapse when a person is sleeping, blocking the breathing passageways. When this happens, the brain awakens the individual, who then gulps for air so as to open the trachea once again.
This usually happens many times in a single night, causing severe fatigue the following day due to lack of proper sleep. People who suffer from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems such as heart failure and stroke usually have a high prevalence of sleep apnea.
Medical researchers do not know for sure whether sleep apnea is indeed responsible for high blood pressure, but what is clear is that people with this sleep disorder have a very high risk of developing hypertension later in life.
Primary Aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism(PA) is a hormonal disorder which leads to hypertension. The adrenal glands secrete a number of important hormones, and one of them is called aldosterone. This hormone is responsible for balancing sodium and potassium in the blood. In primary aldosteronism, the adrenal glands produce abnormally high levels of aldosterone, causing the body to lose potassium and keep back sodium. The excess sodium holds onto water, leading to high blood volume and ultimately hypertension.
Since it is not very well known, patients with PA are usually subjected to taking the wrong medications for a long time. Early diagnosis of this condition is very important since the type of HBP associated with it carries a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. The advantage is this type of high blood pressure can be cured either through medications, surgery or lifestyle changes.
Thank you for taking time to read through this health tips. I hoped you found them useful. Always visit this blog for more health tips.