High blood pressure is an increase in blood pressure. Although this limit changes from time to time, systolic blood pressure being over 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure being over 90 mm Hg is enough for us to talk about the presence of high blood pressure disease. Some life habits may also be effective in hypertension (high blood pressure) disease, in which genetic predisposition plays an important role. Salt consumption, stress, and excess weight are examples of this. On the other hand, diseases such as sleep apnea, thyroid, kidney failure and diabetes can also cause high blood pressure.
Having a high blood pressure patient in the family
The most common factor causing hypertension is familial predisposition. The rate of occurrence in the family of patients with hypertension is around 95 percent. According to studies, the risk of developing this disease is 5-6 times higher in people with a history of hypertension in their first or second degree relatives. When environmental factors such as smoking and unhealthy diet are added to genetic predisposition, the age at which the disease occurs may decrease to the age of 30.
Salt consumption
Excessive daily salt consumption is also one of the important factors that cause hypertension. It is enough to consume 6 grams of salt a day. When this limit is exceeded, edema occurs due to water retention in the body and blood pressure rises. Additionally, excessive salt consumption causes arteriosclerosis in the long term. Even people who do not have a family history of hypertension may encounter this condition at an early age due to excessive salt consumption. For this reason, the World Health Organization recommends consuming an average of 6 grams of salt per day.
Kidney diseases
Kidney diseases also increase blood pressure. When blood flow is impaired due to narrowing, calcification or plaque in the vessels coming to the kidney, some substances secreted from the kidney contract the vessels and cause the heart to work faster, resulting in hypertension. There is a vicious circle between hypertension and kidney diseases. Kidney diseases increase blood pressure, and as blood pressure rises, kidney damage occurs.
Diabetes
A patient with diabetes has a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. Diabetes; It increases vascular resistance, variability in the structural fibers in the vascular wall and hardening of the vessels. It paves the way for blood pressure.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea increases blood pressure. When the sleep apnea problem of patients with both sleep apnea and high blood pressure is intervened in time, hypertension usually disappears. However, if it is too late, high blood pressure may become chronic.
Endocrine diseases
In addition to thyroid hormones, adrenaline, serotonin and estrogens, hormones such as renin, aldosterone and cortisone secreted by the adrenal gland are irregular or excessive. Their secretion also directly affects blood pressure. For example, when thyroid hormones are secreted excessively in the body, it increases the load on the vessels and increases blood pressure.
Obesity
Sedentary life and obesity increase blood pressure. Weight gain forces the heart to pump more blood. This means a separate burden for the heart and vessels and an increase in blood pressure.
Unhealthy diet
The most important reason for the increase in the incidence of hypertension today is unhealthy eating habits. Eating an excessively fatty and carbohydrate-rich diet causes the body to secrete certain substances that increase blood pressure in the increased fat tissue. These substances cause the vessels to contract more and thus increase blood pressure.
Stress
Although stress does not have a direct effect on hypertension, it can increase an existing condition. Anyone's blood pressure can rise during times of stress. What is important is whether the blood pressure drops even after 20-30 minutes. If it is still high, then it means that there is a blood pressure problem.
Cigarette consumption
Although blood pressure increases momentarily during smoking, it causes thickening and calcification of the veins in the long term. As a result, hypertension may develop.
Some medications
Some medications may cause temporary increases in blood pressure. We can count painkillers, cold medicines and some hormone regulating drugs among these.
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