Blood pressure is measured by the amount of blood pumped by your heart and the amount of resistance to that flow in your arteries. The more your heart pumps and the more narrow your arteries, the higher your blood pressure goes. Many people have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. If left untreated, high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to conditions such as heart attack and stroke. In many cases--90 to 95 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic--the cause is not known.
Too Much Alcohol
The Mayo Clinic states that heavy drinking eventually damages your heart. The site goes on to explain that having more than two to three drinks at one time causes your body to release hormones that increases both your blood flow and heart rate, which results in a temporary increase in your blood pressure.
Pregnancy
The American Heart Association lists pregnancy as one of the factors for high blood pressure. In some cases, women who have never had high blood pressure develop it while they are pregnant, especially during the last three months. The condition may become worse during pregnancy for those who have the condition before becoming pregnant. This requires close monitoring, because it is dangerous for both the mother and baby.
Sodium Intake
Both the AHA and Mayo Clinic concur that a high intake of sodium contributes to high blood pressure. When sodium levels are too high, it causes your body to retain fluid, which results in hypertension. It is common for doctors to place patients with hypertension on sodium-restricted diets, such as the DASH diet.
Stress
High levels of stress are yet another risk factor of high blood pressure. It has a temporary but profound impact on your blood pressure. Perhaps more important is how you choose to relax. The foods you eat, the cigarettes you smoke or the alcohol you drink to calm your nerves only make your blood pressure problems worse.
The Aging Process
Your age is not something you can control, and according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), your blood pressure tends to rise as you get older. The site states that more than half of Americans over the age of 60 suffer from high blood pressure. The AHA goes on to explain that until the age of 45, men face a greater risk of hypertension than women. For the next 10 years, the risk between the two genders is similar. After the age of 55--or once a woman goes through menopause--she is more likely to develop high blood pressure than a man.
Your Weight
When you weigh more, your body increases its blood supply to meet the oxygen and nutritional demands of your body. It requires additional blood volume and circulation to deliver these to your tissues. Due to this, your heart must work harder, and the pressure against your artery walls is greater, resulting in hypertension.
