• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Daily Vitamina

Daily Vitamina

Bilingual Health News

  • Health Conditions
  • Healthy Living
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Fitness
Home / / What Causes High Blood Pressure?

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

A doctor checks a man's blood pressureThe way you live is the greatest contributor to your risk of developing high blood pressure. Learn more about what causes primary and secondary high blood pressure.

There are two types of high blood pressure. Primary, or “essential,” high blood pressure is by far the most common, affecting an estimated 90 to 95 percent of those with high blood pressure. Most likely, this is the form you have. This is also the type for which no specific cause is known, although researchers do have some theories.

One of the main theories is that primary high blood pressure is the result of a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions, such as breathing, blinking and pushing blood through the body. Other theories blame hormonal imbalances and damage to the endothelium, the inner layer of blood vessels, which prevents them from dilating.

In addition, mutations in the genes that control blood volume and sodium; low intake of micronutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium; and high sodium intake (the one you’re probably most familiar with), may play a role.

The other form of high blood pressure, called secondary, is a by-product of having a specific medical condition. These include kidney disease, Cushing’s syndrome (which is a rare hormonal condition), pregnancy, an overactive thyroid gland, and neurological disorders. In addition, certain medicines can cause secondary high blood pressure, such as high doses of estrogen, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

High blood pressure is actually a fairly modern illness; 100 years ago, it, like most chronic heart conditions, barely existed. That’s because few people were overweight, and most got plenty of physical activity and ate diets that were relatively healthy, with few processed foods.

You see, you don’t get high blood pressure from viruses or bacteria. You get it from the way you live. Although researchers aren’t sure of the exact physiological mechanism that increases blood pressure, they certainly know the triggers. Stated simply, the way you live is the greatest contributor to your risk of developing high blood pressure.

Among the things that increase your risk of hypertension:
Being overweight
Heavy alcohol consumption
A high-sodium diet
Use of oral contraceptives
A sedentary lifestyle
High levels of anxiety and stress

What’s noteworthy is that all of these factors are within your control. While medications exist to deal with the physiology of high blood pressure, the way you eat, move, and deal with the day-to-day stresses of life has the greatest impact on achieving healthy blood pressure.

For the complete article, click here.

February 8, 2013 by Alexis González, Staff Writer

Read Next Article

The Latest In

La presión arterial es más alta y más difícil de controlar en los días fríos

En un pintoresco pueblo al pie de una montaña nevada en Ushuaia, sur de Argentina, residen dos buenos amigos: Alex y Ethan. En una tarde invernal, Ethan compartió con Alex un desconcertante fenómeno. Con una expresión de inquietud, exclamó: "Jamás [Read More...] about La presión arterial es más alta y más difícil de controlar en los días fríos

Keys to Iron Health: The Real Foods that Strengthen Our Defenses

Pablo used to turn his back on the vegetables, relegating them to a corner of his plate without considering their flavor. As his best friend, I decided to teach him how to lead a healthy life through a balanced diet. [Read More...] about Keys to Iron Health: The Real Foods that Strengthen Our Defenses

Secretos científicos. ¿Cómo la música impacta en nuestras mentes?

En su infancia de niña inquieta y divertida, la música era la llama que encendía la pasión de Victoria. Mientras tarareaba canciones de moda, sus padres veían en sus ojos una chispa de alegría deslumbrante. A medida que creció, la [Read More...] about Secretos científicos. ¿Cómo la música impacta en nuestras mentes?

Habits to Live a Healthier Life, Like the World’s Longest-Lived Communities

When life expectancy in developed countries and the Third World has declined, it is no surprise that Dan Buettner's exploration of the centenarians of the longest-lived communities on Earth is attracting a lot of attention. Dan Buettner is an American writer, [Read More...] about Habits to Live a Healthier Life, Like the World’s Longest-Lived Communities

Leche, ¿amiga o enemiga? Pros, contras y datos que debe conocer

Érase una vez un pequeño pueblo enclavado en el campo. Un día, Lily, una joven curiosa, se encontró inmersa en un animado debate entre los aldeanos. El tema: "Los efectos de la leche en la salud". Poco después, Lily visitó [Read More...] about Leche, ¿amiga o enemiga? Pros, contras y datos que debe conocer

Alert! The 7 Health Tests That All Men Should Not Ignore

Juan, 37, had been feeling bad for several weeks, but he kept putting off seeing the doctor. He feared what he might discover, but his wife finally convinced him to undergo a checkup. Speaking with his doctor, Juan was surprised [Read More...] about Alert! The 7 Health Tests That All Men Should Not Ignore

Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

  • LIFE-1Why do Men Live Shorter Lives Than Women?
  • Silhouette of man and woman kissing during sunset10 Tips to Stay Healthy And in Love
  • BLIND-2Un mundo sin luz. ¿La ceguera se cura?
  • ACU-2How Acupuncture Helps Lose Weight
  • MARATON-28 consejos para ganar su primera maratón

Copyright © 2025, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.