Causes of High Blood Pressure

Hypertension, or high blood pressure is a common but very serious medical condition that many people suffer from, often without even knowing about it. In many cases, people with hypertension won't have noticeable symptoms, so it's best to get readings as often as possible. The following are some of the causes of high blood pressure that you should be aware of.

Some people have underlying conditions such as adrenal or thyroid conditions that if left untreated can contribute to high blood pressure and hypertension. Hypertension can be caused as a result of a faulty thyroid or condition referred to as hypothyroidism wherein the thyroid isn't producing the right amount of hormones. If you are experiencing an adrenal gland condition it can be a cause of high blood pressure. Fatigue, weight gain and joint pain are only a few of the symptoms of adrenal or thyroid issues. These conditions are diagnosed with medical blood tests which is why many people don't know for a long time that they have the condition. After diagnosis a prescription medication is often given regularly to treat the condition.

High blood pressure can be caused or worsened by drinking too much alcohol. Some people are confused because there is evidence that light drinkers are actually healthier than people who don't drink at all, and it's true that small amounts of alcohol may actually reduce your blood pressure. Yet evidence also shows that heavy drinking, of more than two glasses of an alcoholic beverage every day, has more negative than positive effects on your blood pressure and overall health. For people who have trouble controlling their alcohol consumption, it's preferable for them to stay away from it than to overindulge. Alcohol, then, may be beneficial in small doses, but heavy drinking raises your blood pressure, as well as the other risks it poses to your health.

One of the lesser known causes of high blood pressure is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea sufferers stop breathing for up to a minute at a time while they are sleeping at night. People with sleep apnea often snore as well which is a symptom of obstructed breathing while asleep. Because you do not get restful sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea, you will tend to feel tired throughout the day. People who are overweight or who smoke are more prone to sleep apnea but the only way to diagnose it is by doing a sleep study at a sleep disorder center. It's important to find out if you have this problem because chronic sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. In general, high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it often has no symptoms and it may not be identified until someone has more serious problems, like heart disease. Use the guidelines we've shared here in this article along with regular checkups from your doctor to keep you ahead of the game when dealing with the potential to have hypertension, eat right, exercise regularly and cut down on fats.