What Are the Main
Causes Of High Blood Pressure;
And How Can You Avoid Them? 

If You Knew That Something Could Cause High Blood Pressure, You Avoid It, Right?

There is still much to learn concerning the exact Causes of High Blood Pressure. Many people are born with a genetic predisposition to developing Hypertension, and it is like a hot coal that can erupt into a fire if we pour the external stimuli onto it such as smoking, drinking, stress, sedentariness, excessive sodium, etc... So although these things are not literal "causes," it cannot be denied that they are channels through which the disease manifests itself.

The most frequent type of High Blood Pressure is a chronic form termed "Essential" or "Primary" Hypertension, and there is no known root cause. Heredity, race, and gender seem to contain the answers, but the demographics are changing with time. For instance, for decades blacks outnumbered whites with hypertension 2-1, but that ratio is getting smaller. Some have suggested that this is due to social inequalities and diets available to different economic classes. If so, then one could reasonably conclude that the diets of the "rich" are degenerating faster than the diets of the "poor" are improving.

But the economic divide assumption as being one of the Causes of High Blood Pressure is complicated by the fact that black women are more prone to contract hypertension than black men by a significant amount. This suggests that race combined with gender is more significant than one of the factors alone. Then we mix heredity into the mix which is an unknown variable, because inherited tendencies arise from racial and gender based factors also.

But our purpose here is to discover what we can do, or more importantly what pitfalls we can avoid to keep our High Blood Pressure from getting out of hand. Some of these things are no-brainers but yet can be very difficult to overcome. Some of us sweep things under the rug of our minds and occasionally need to do some mental housekeeping. I offer no silver bullet, but simply seek to supply the tools of knowledge, awareness, and motivation, which if kept at the forefront of the mind, can work to empower an individual to accomplish great things.

Much of what is prescribed for taking a natural proactive approach to the problem will fall under the umbrella of motivational self-improvement because that is what is needed to conquer the biggest Causes of High Blood Pressure. In most cases, we are victims of our own appetites and cravings, and appetites are a matter of Self Control. Self Control requires a trained, educated mind that is willing to submit to discipline. It also requires that we place a high value on ourselves and others. Without these attributes, we cannot hope to overcome any vice.

The most common triggers which can Cause High Blood Pressure are:

Smoking - When a person smokes cigarettes, the blood vessels of the body dilate and constrict and this can significantly complicate the blood pressure problems that you are having.

Being Overweight - Body weight has a direct relationship to blood pressure. There are two factors involved in determining a healthy weight; Mass Body Index (MBI) and Waist Measurement. Both of these need to be taken into consideration. BMI can be relative to other conditions such as height, muscle mass, and age; while Waist Measurement is more specific. If you are a woman with more than a 35" waist, or a man with over 40", then you should consider taking action to reduce your weight.

Lack of Exercise - The most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy blood pressure is to stay physically active. There's not too much more to say than get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Many people don't have time to do traditional exercises, but there are still a lot of ways you can get it in. Don't covet the closest parking space; park out at the far end of the lot. Skip the elevator and take the stairs. When doing the dishes, move your legs and do a little dance. No matter what you do, try to move something!

Salt - A low salt diet is vital to lowering blood pressure. Even healthy people should limit their sodium intake to 1 teaspoon a day. Fortunately, salt substitutes are available and there are ways to monitor your intake. Make a habit out of keeping an eye on these things. Avoid processed foods, and buy only fresh meats and vegetables as they are an overlooked but major source of sodium.

Stress - Stress is something that everyone struggles with. It is not something that can be addressed directly, but rather needs to be tackled by defusing the things that contribute to it.

Alcohol - Alcohol affects the heart, liver, and brain. It also is high in calories which can add to a dangerous weight limit. If you only drink on occasion, limit yourself to no more than 1-2 drinks a day. But the best option is to not indulge at all. Abstinence is a win-win choice.

Other factors such as Age, Genetics, Kidney Disease, and glandular disorders, are beyond the scope of this site. There is no known cure for the root Causes of High Blood Pressure. We can only hope to stem its manifestation by eliminating those things that are prone to make it worse, and introduce those things that promote health indirectly. So let's do what we can and let your physician take care of the rest. One thing that you can do is to become acquainted with a High Blood Pressure Diet that is appropriate for you.

 "Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 21:19-21

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