Can High Blood Pressure Be Prevented? Causes and Prevention Tips

What Are the Causes of High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or also known as hypertension, can significantly increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye and vision problems, and premature death. If your physician in New Hampshire determines that you have chronic high blood pressure, it’s crucial that you follow their treatment recommendations. Treatment of the condition may include medication, changes in diet, daily exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle modifications. Here is a closer look at the causes of this condition and how to prevent it.

What Is High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in your arteries is consistently or chronically elevated above normal levels. Your blood pressure is measured as two numbers: systolic, or the top number, and diastolic, or the bottom number. If your systolic pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or higher, or your diastolic pressure is chronically 90 mmHg or higher, you will be diagnosed with hypertension.

Understanding High Blood Pressure Risk Factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. It’s important to fully understand these risks so that you can make life changes to improve your heart health and lower your chances of developing hypertension:

• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Alcohol overuse
• Substance overuse
• Family history
• High sodium intake
• Low potassium intake
• Chronic stress
• Malnutrition or poor diet

Common Causes of High Blood Pressure

In addition to risk factors and certain lifestyle habits, medications, and medical conditions can cause hypertension. Some of the most common causes are:

• Age – Your risk of hypertension increases as you age.
• Race – African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension.
• Medications – Certain medications, such as decongestants, cough and cold medicines, pain relievers, and birth control pills, can cause high blood pressure.
• Medical Conditions – Health conditions like adrenal gland tumors, blood vessel disorders, pregnancy, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders can cause high blood pressure.
• Idiopathic – For some adults, there may not be any diagnosable cause of high blood pressure. This type is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension.

Recognizing High Blood Pressure Symptoms

You may not have any symptoms of hypertension. However, it’s important to recognize symptoms so you can get treatment as soon as possible:

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Chest pain
• Nosebleeds
• Fatigue or muscle weakness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Vision changes, like blurred vision or double vision
• Facial flushing or hot flashes

Tips for High Blood Pressure Prevention

If you are at risk of high blood pressure, your physician can help you lower your risk. Here are some tips for treating, managing, and preventing hypertension:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Follow a heart-healthy diet
• Engage in daily physical activity
• Quit smoking
• Limit your consumption of alcohol
• Only take medications as recommended by your physician
• Get regular medical screenings
• Take your blood pressure each day with a home blood pressure monitor

In cases where patients have resistant hypertension (where high blood pressure is not well-controlled by medication), there are minimally invasive treatment options that may be appropriate. Renal artery denervation (RDN) is an innovative procedure that helps lower blood pressure by safely disrupting overactive nerves located in the kidney arteries. Cardiovascular Specialists of New England has brought this life-changing technology to southern New Hampshire, giving patients a new option in the fight against uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Contact Cardiovascular Specialists of New England

Cardiovascular Specialists of New England’s mission is to redefine heart health and shift the paradigm. We provide highly personalized patient care with a focus on education, prevention, and management of heart conditions. If you are at risk of hypertension or have been diagnosed with this condition, we can help you make lifestyle changes and enact a treatment plan that lowers your risk of complications and improves your overall health and quality of life. Call us now or reach out to us online to learn more about lowering high blood pressure in New Hampshire.