How Can You Reverse The Causes of Hypertension?

High Blood Pressure & Causes

Blood pressure is the force of blood pressure pushing against blood vessel walls. High blood pressure or Hypertension, means the pressure in the arteries is high than it should be.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 120/80. The top number, or systolic pressure, is the pressure as the heart beats. The bottom number or, diastolic pressure, is the number when the number when the heart is at rest.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or below. If it is higher 120-139 or the diastolic number is 80-89 your considered pre-hypertensive.

So, What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is considered when your systolic number is 140 and higher and your diastolic number is greater than 90.

It is estimated that about 80 million over the age of 20 or 1 in 3 people have hypertension. Many people do not even know that they have hypertension. With virtually no symptoms it has been dubbed the silent killer.

High blood pressure can take years to develop, and it affects almost everyone eventually. Fortunately high blood pressure can be easily detected. Once you know you have it, it can be managed by lifestyle modifications and with some medications.

Some people with high blood pressure have headaches, shortness of breath, and nose bleeds. But usually those who have these symptoms are those whose blood pressure has become critical and life threatening.

If you want just the summary on high blood pressure, then watch the video below:

Types of hypertension

There are essentially 2 types of hypertension. Primary and Secondary. There is a type of hypertension called pulmonary hypertension, but this is not discussed in this article.

Primary Hypertension

Primary hypertension is when there is no identifiable cause for it. This type of hypertension takes years to develop, and the majority of people fall into this category of hypertension.

Secondary Hypertension

This is the type of hypertension that has an underlying cause. This type tends to appear suddenly and causes higher blood pressure than primary hypertension. Various medical conditions that can cause secondary hypertension are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Kidney problems
• Adrenal gland tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Certain defects in the blood vessels your born with (congenital abnormalities)
• Certain medications such as ibuprofen, birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over the counter pain relievers, and some prescription drugs.
• Illegal drugs such as cocaine, and amphetamines
• Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol usage

High Blood Pressure – Risk Factors:

• Age – Your risk of high blood pressure increases as you become older. Middle age or around 45 high blood pressure can begin to appear. High blood pressure tends to be more common in men. Women generally begin developing high blood pressure after age 65.
• Ethnicity – High blood pressure seems to be more prevalent in african americans. It often develops at an earlier age than in caucasians. The serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure are also more common in this patient population. Family History- Those with a familial history tend to be genetically predisposed to developing hypertension. Although it is not quiet certain if it it is genetically link or it is an acquired lifestyle.
• Being overweight or obese – The greater your body mass index over 25 the greater your chances of developing hypertension. The more you are overweight the harder your heart has to work to deliver oxygen rich blood and nutrients to your body. This means your heart needs to pump more blood to tissues. The increase in the volume of blood that is demanded the more pressure is exerted on your artery walls.
• Decreased physical activity – Inactivity leads to higher heart rates. The higher that your heart rate is means that your heart has to work that much harder. As your heart works harder it means more force with the contractions is applied on your artery walls. Inactivity also leads to being overweight.
• Cigarette Smoking – It is widely agreed upon the cigarette smoking elevates your blood pressure. In fact you blood pressure can remained elevated for a much as an hour. But most smokers do not just smoke 1 per hour so you blood pressure never has a chance to come back down. And it is not only the smoke but the many chemicals, as much as 4,000 different chemicals that causes high blood pressure (carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, hydrogen cyanide) to name a few. Smoking also can cause your arteries to narrow further elevating your blood pressure.
• Too Much Salt In Your Diet – No matter where you fall in the debate there is ample evidence that too much salt can elevate your blood pressure. Salt causes fluid retention and increase the workload of your kidneys which create angiotensin 1 a hormone that is converted to angiotensin 2 in your lungs.
• Not Enough Potassium – Potassium is a big part of the sodium-potassium pump. This is the pump that ensures the right balance of sodium enters into your cells. Without enough potassium you will end up with too much sodium. This will lead to water retention increasing your blood pressure.
• Not Enough Sunshine Vitamin – Also known as “Vitamin D” this vitamin deficiency has been linked to high blood pressure. Effecting an enzyme in your kidneys, angiotensin, is used by your body to regulate your blood pressure.
• Stress – Yes the “S” word no one likes to talk about. High levels of stress, and being in the fight or flight mode continually increases blood pressure and the release of cortisol into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar.

Also chronic medical condition such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea increase your risk for developing high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Complications:

With uncontrolled high blood pressure you run the risk of severe complication. Medical emergencies such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, kidney failure, eye problems, sudden hearing loss, and metabolic syndrome.

Controlling High Blood Pressure:

There are many ways you can control your high blood pressure and bring your numbers down into a normal range. Things you can do to take control are:

• If you are overweight lose the weight. For every 20 lbs you lose you can drop your systolic blood pressure 5-20 points.
• Quitting Smoking can naturally lower your blood pressure 5-10 points.
• Getting more exercise can lower your numbers 5-15 points.
• Decreasing caffeine intake lowers your diastolic pressure by 4-13 points
• Decrease alcohol intake lowers your numbers 2-4 points.
• Avoiding all processed foods lowers your numbers 10 points.
• Decrease salt intake or stop altogether up to 25 Points.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Use natural remedies
• If your physician has prescribed medication, take as directed

As you can see you have a lot of power and control over your numbers. You’re not a victim. Taking control of your high blood pressure is your responsibility no one else’s. But many people are depending on you to do so. There is so much good information on the web and some bad. Do your own research and become your own health advocate.

Read. Get informed. Become a “Nutritarian”. That means getting the most nutrient dense food you can get into your diet and yes sometimes you will have to say know to the chips, cakes and cookies.

As a nurse none of my patients with heart issues ever told me, “ I wish I had eaten more junk food.” We are adults, and we know what we are suppose to be doing.

We need to stop seeking the path of least resistance and start being heros for ourselves and those we love, and who love us. Until we can make high blood pressure a thing of the past. I highly recommend that you get the following books into your own personal library.

Related Books for Further Reading:

• Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. By Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. M.D
• How Not To Die. By Michael Greger M.D
• The End of Heart Disease. By Joel Fuhrman M.D
• The End of Diabetes. By Joel Fuhrman M.D