What causes high blood pressure (hypertension)?

Raza Ekhsan Mulyana

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Copywriter, Ghostwriter (2023–present) Jan 31

What causes high blood pressure (hypertension)?

I want you to look at this picture.

Not only that.

This, too.

Look at all the high numbers.

This shows that hypertension is a huge disease problem.

But, how does this happen?

How does hypertension happen to so many people?

Well, before that, we need to know what hypertension is.

Hypertension is the condition in which your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal, making your heart work harder to pump blood.

And, it is dangerous because it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of health problems, such as:

1. Stroke
2. Heart failure
3. Kidney disease

These are just three of the numerous risks it brings.

And, that’s why hypertension is dangerous.

But, judging from the high prevalence of hypertension, it seems that many people don’t know what causes it.

Hence, the ongoing problem.

So, here are three things I know that increase blood pressure:

• Lifestyle

Lifestyle includes everything.

What you eat, how often you exercise, your sleep, etc.

So, here are some of the lifestyle that increases blood pressure:

1. Excessive sodium
2. Lack of physical activity
3. Smoking
4. Alcohol Consumption

These 4 things increase the risk of hypertension by damaging the heart and increasing blood pressure.

To avoid this, you can do:

1. Exercise 3–5 a week
2. Cut junk food
3. Lower your smoking and alcohol consumption.

By doing that, you will reduce the risk of hypertension.

• Stress

Stress is needed in life.

But, too much stress, especially if it creates mental health issues, will lead to hypertension.

Stress can lead to hypertension as it:

1. Releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which temporarily increase heart rate and tighten blood vessels, raising blood pressure.
2. Creates tension that can cause muscle tightening, including in blood vessel walls, restricting blood flow and elevating blood pressure.

But, that’s not it.

Long-term stress can also be the root of hypertension.

It becomes the root as it:

1. Lead to habits such as overeating, smoking, drinking alcohol, or avoiding physical activity — all of which increase blood pressure.
2. Contributes to long-term elevated cortisol levels that can cause ongoing blood vessel constriction and contribute to hypertension.
3. Disrupt sleep patterns, which are crucial for blood pressure regulation.

So, stress and mental health issues can become very dangerous, as it leads to hypertension directly and indirectly.

• Age factors

Age is not just a number for hypertension.

As you age, you increase your risk of hypertension.

And, this is because:

1. Arteries lose flexibility and become stiffer as people age. This increases resistance to blood flow, raising blood pressure.
2. The decrease in the heart's ability to pump efficiently as people age leads to more force to circulate blood, which can elevate blood pressure.
3. Hormonal imbalances due to the decrease in renin and aldosterone—hormones that help regulate blood pressure—as people age.

So, there are three causes of hypertension.

Hypertension is a huge global disease problem.

But, it is preventable after knowing what causes it.

With that being said, I hope any of you readers can take this information and start caring more about your health.