Causes of Hypertension

OVERVIEW

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood exerted against the wall of blood vessels i.e. arteries.

It is dangerous as it causes the heart to work harder and leads to serious health problems such as stroke,heart attack,kidney disease,hardening of arteries etc

High blood pressure (Hypertension) also known as SILENT KILLER as it does not show any particular symptoms associated with the disease.

TYPES OF HYPERTENSION

There are mainly two types of hypertension-

  • Primary Hypertension (Essential Hypertension)

In this type,there is rise in blood pressure of a person without being affected from any medical disorder.

It often occurs due to genes,unhealthy diet,obesity and lifestyle.

In this condition, there is no identifiable cause,most of the people feel exactly the same as that of people with normal blood pressure.

  • Secondary Hypertension

In this type of hypertension,there is a rise in blood pressure due to medical disorders like kidney failure,liver problem,sleep disorder,tumours,thyroid problem,pregnancy etc.

Although, both primary and secondary hypertension leads to hypertension but these differ in cause.In primary hypertension, there is no particular cause while in secondary hypertension there is definite cause.

CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION

The major causes that lie behind hypertension are lifestyle habits,medical disorders and certain medications.

1. LIFESTYLE HABITS 

  • OBESITY- If you are overweight then your heart has to work harder to supply more oxygen and nutrients to extra fat tissue.This increases the pressure on the blood vessels (arteries) leading to hypertension.

  • EXCESSIVE SALT INTAKE- If you are taking too much salt in your diet,your body absorbs more water.Due to this absorption of extra water,pressure exerts on arteries leading to high blood pressure.

  • SMOKING- Cigarette smoking raises blood pressure as it contains a harmful chemical known as Nicotine.It leads to narrowing and hardening of blood vessels due to accumulation of plaque which raises blood pressure.

  • TOO MUCH STRESS- If you are going through too much stress, your body produces stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that makes your heart beat faster and increases blood pressure.

  • PHYSICALLY INACTIVE- If you are physically inactive,your heart has to work harder to pump more blood with much force.

This leads to increased force on arteries leading to high blood pressure.

  • CONSUMPTION OF TOBACCO- Tobacco contains a toxic substance i.e. Nicotine.It narrows the arteries which increases heart rate and raises blood pressure.

  • ALCOHOLISM- Consumption of alcohol also raises blood pressure as it increases the level of hormone RENIN in blood.This hormone constricts the blood vessels and increases the blood pressure.

2. Medical Disorders

Medical disorders are the diseases associated with the abnormal functioning of the body.

Some of the medical disorders related to high blood pressure are-

1. Kidney Disorders-  Kidney disorders means there is a problem in the functioning of kidneys and they are damaged.Diseases related to kidney that can cause hypertension are Renal artery stenosis and Glomerulonephritis.

  • Renal Artery Stenosis- It is a kidney disorder in which narrowing of arteries occurs that supply blood to kidneys and increases blood pressure.

  • Glomerulonephritis- In this condition,swelling of glomerulus (tiny filters) of the kidney occurs due to lack of filtration of toxic substances,metabolic wastes and excess fluid.This retention causes high blood pressure.

2. Hormonal Problems- When the production of hormones in our blood is imbalanced that cause hormonal problems like thyroid problems, cushing syndrome,aldosteronism, acromegaly,hyperparathyroidism and pheochromocytoma.

  • Thyroid Problems- When your thyroid gland produces too much or too less thyroid hormone that causes thyroid problems like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

HyperthyroidismIt is the excess production of  thyroid hormone ( thyroxine ) by thyroid gland which causes hypertension.

Hypothyroidism- It is the low production of thyroid hormone (thyroxine) by thyroid gland which causes hypertension.

  • Cushing Syndrome- It is the condition in which the adrenal gland produces too much cortisol hormone that results in high blood pressure.

  • Aldosteronism- The excess production of aldosterone hormone by adrenal gland is known as Aldosteronism.

In this condition,the kidney starts retaining too much salt and water that leads to decrease in potassium level which causes high blood pressure.

  • Acromegaly-At adulthood,when your pituitary gland produces growth hormone in excess,this condition is known as acromegaly.This leads to too much absorption of sodium and raises blood pressure.

  • Hyperparathyroidism-The increase in production of parathyroid hormone by parathyroid gland increases calcium in blood and causes high blood pressure.

  • Pheochromocytoma- It is a tumour which is formed by chromaffin cells.These cells are found in adrenal gland, located at the top of kidney and increases the production of hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline that causes hypertension.

  • Scleroderma-  An autoimmune disorder which is caused by excess collagen production that leads to tightening and thickening of skin.It also causes constriction of blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

  • Lupus-It is an autoimmune,inflammatory disease affecting  the body’s skin,blood cells,joints and organs.Patients suffering from lupus have high blood pressure due to kidney damage.

Diabetes- Person suffering from diabetes is at more risk of developing high blood pressure.

A health condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level becomes significantly high.

It can cause atherosclerosis i.e.building up of cholesterol ,fatty substances inside arteries leading to narrowing of arteries that leads to rise in blood pressure.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)-It is a sleep related disorder in which breathing stops while sleeping.

In this, muscles of your throat relax becomes narrow leading to blockage of upper airway (nose→nasal cavity→pharynx)

It is one of the causes of high blood pressure. When you stop breathing momentarily, it will release stress hormones and increase blood pressure.

3. Medications

Certain medicines can raise your blood pressure so you must take medicine with caution and after prescription from your doctor only.

Some of these are described below-

  • Birth Control Pills-These pills contain estrogen hormone that causes narrowing of blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

Mostly,all birth control pills have a side effect of raising blood pressure but you are at high risk due to obesity,ageing,smoking etc.

  • Cold Medicines (Decongestants)-These medicines cause narrowing of blood vessels and makes it difficult for blood to flow through it hence, leads to high blood pressure.

Examples-

  • Naphazoline
  • Oxymetazoline
  • Phenylephrine
  • Pseudoephedrine

  • Pain Medicines- Taking pill killers can cause kidney problems by absorbing more water from blood and raises blood pressure.

Examples-

  • Ibuprofen
  • Aspirin
  • Piroxicam
  • Indomethaci

  • Depression Medicines ( Antidepressants)-These medicines increase the level of brain chemicals (dopamine,serotonin and norepinephrine) that changes our mood and increases blood pressure.

Examples-

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Venlafaxine
  • Fluoxetine

  • Herbal Medicines- Medicines containing herbs like licorice are extremely dangerous as it lowers potassium level in blood and leads to high blood pressure.

  • Illict Drugs- Certain illegal drugs (cocaine,amphetamines and marijuana) causes constriction of blood vessels and increases blood pressure.