The ONE organ responsible for high blood pressure.
How Hypertension Can Affect Your Health
Causes of hypertension
If you have high blood pressure, you have one of two types of the condition. Primary hypertension develops over time and without a single identifying reason. It’s sometimes seen as a natural progression of aging. Secondary hypertension is the result of some other condition, and it can appear quite suddenly. Typically, secondary hypertension produces blood pressure levels that are higher than primary hypertension. Some conditions that can cause secondary hypertension include:- Adrenal gland tumors
- Blood vessel birth defects
- Cocaine, amphetamines, and other illicit drugs
- Kidney issues
- Medications, including over-the-counter cold remedies and decongestants, as well as some prescription drugs
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid issues
Hypertension risk factors
You may be more likely to develop high blood pressure if you have certain conditions or lifestyle situations. These risk factors, alone or in combination, can create hypertension. When these factors can be identified, treating the condition may help reduce your blood pressure level. Some of the risk factors include:- Obesity — extra weight increases demands on your circulatory system
- Sedentary lifestyle — inactive people tend to have higher heart rates, which forces your heart to work harder
- Tobacco use — nicotine causes an immediate spike in blood pressure, and chemicals in tobacco can damage your arteries
- Alcohol abuse — excess alcohol intake affects your heart over time
- Stress — stressful work or living situations can increase blood pressure, and many coping mechanisms, such as smoking and drinking, aggravate the effects
Complications of hypertension
High blood pressure has few symptoms, and if you’re at the stage where you have them, it’s likely your body has already suffered damage. Both blood vessels and organs in your body are at risk. Some of the potential complications of hypertension include:- Atherosclerosis
- Aneurysms
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Vision loss
- Dementia and cognition issues
