Avoiding the Common Causes of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is dangerous because it forces your heart to work harder than normal to pump blood throughout your body, which can lead to serious health problems over time. Constant pressure on the walls of your arteries can cause them to become thick, stiff, or damaged, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Often called the “silent killer,” high blood pressure usually has no noticeable symptoms, meaning many people don’t realize they have it until significant damage has already occurred. That’s why regular monitoring and proper management are essential to protect your long-term health.

Some of the most common causes of high blood pressure include:

1. High Sodium Intake
Consuming too much salt is one of the leading contributors to elevated blood pressure. Sodium causes the body to retain fluid, which increases the volume of blood and puts extra pressure on blood vessel walls. 

2. Chronic Stress
Ongoing stress can cause blood pressure to spike temporarily, and over time, chronic stress may contribute to sustained hypertension. When you’re under stress, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which temporarily increase heart rate and narrow blood vessels. 

3. Lack of Physical Activity
A sedentary lifestyle is strongly linked to high blood pressure. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, allowing it to pump blood with less effort and reducing the force on your arteries. In contrast, a lack of exercise can contribute to weight gain, poor circulation, and higher resting blood pressure. 

4. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure both in the short and long term. While moderate consumption—one drink per day for women and two for men—is generally considered acceptable, exceeding these limits can strain the cardiovascular system. 

5. Smoking and Tobacco Use
Nicotine, the active ingredient in cigarettes and other tobacco products, causes immediate increases in blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels and stimulating the nervous system. Over time, smoking damages the lining of blood vessels, contributes to hardening of the arteries, and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

6. Being Overweight or Obese
Carrying excess weight puts added strain on the heart and circulatory system, often leading to higher blood pressure. Fat tissue also releases substances that can contribute to inflammation and vascular resistance. 

While these are the more common causes, to learn about some of the more surprising things that can cause high blood pressure, from a recent story by AARP, CLICK HERE.