Understanding Elevated Blood Pressure: Causes and Prevention

Blood pressure can fluctuate for a myriad of reasons: diet, drug use, alcohol consumption and chronic illnesses. Knowing the cause of increases in blood pressure will help to prevent a lifetime of health problems.

Overall Health

• Blood pressure may elevate as a result of your overall health. Kidney disorders, hyperthyroidism, obesity, cholesterol levels and diabetes generally cause blood pressure levels to elevate.

Diet

• High sodium, high fat diets that contain large portions of meats and fast, fried and fattening foods can cause blood pressure to rise.

Drugs

• Birth control pills, pain relievers, antidepressants and over-the-counter cold and flu medications can cause blood pressure to elevate. Amphetamines and cocaine use can cause increases in blood pressure as well.

Alcohol

• Alcohol can dramatically impact blood pressure; blood pressure levels rise immediately after drinking. Heavy long-term drinking can destroy the lining of the blood vessels and it can eventually cause high blood pressure.

Smoking

• Smoking can cause blood pressure to elevate due to a myriad of factors. Smoking damages the coronary arteries, blood vessels, reduces oxygen flow to the heart and increases heart rate.