Blood pressure goes up due to a variety of factors including lifestyle, diet, medical conditions, and genetics. Common causes that make blood pressure increase are being overweight or obese, consuming too much salt (sodium), drinking excessive alcohol, lack of physical activity, stress, and smoking. Medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, as well as certain medications and genetic predisposition, also contribute to higher blood pressure. Additionally, factors like age, race, and family history play a role in increasing the risk of high blood pressure.
Key Factors Raising Blood Pressure
- Diet: High salt intake causes the body to retain fluid and constrict arteries; low potassium worsens this effect.
- Physical Activity: Sedentary lifestyle increases blood pressure risk.
- Weight: Excess body weight requires more blood flow, increasing arterial pressure.
- Alcohol: Drinking more than two alcoholic drinks daily can elevate blood pressure.
- Stress: Acute and chronic stress can cause temporary spikes and worsen habits that further increase blood pressure.
- Smoking: Causes immediate short-term rises and long-term damage to blood vessels.
- Medical Conditions: Kidney disease, diabetes, hormone disorders, and sleep apnea can elevate blood pressure.
- Age and Genetics: Blood pressure tends to rise with age, and family history also influences risk.
These factors can act alone or together to raise blood pressure, which, if sustained, increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health complications.
