According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. Blood pressure rise can cause serious complications if not resolved. Often, high blood pressure is asymptomatic, but people may experience headache or dizziness. Several factors contribute to a rise in blood pressure.
Hypertension
According to the American Heart Association, in 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases in adults, there's no identifiable cause. This type of high blood pressure, called primary hypertension, develops gradually over many years. Unresolved hypertension can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Drugs
Many drugs cause blood pressure to spike. The Mayo Clinic states that caffeine may increase blood pressure by blocking a hormone that keeps blood vessels widened. While taking antidepressants and birth control pills, blood pressure should be monitored, because these medications can cause an increase in pressure. Popular pain relievers like Tylenol, Aleve and Motrin may also affect blood pressure.
Exercise
During exercise, the need for oxygen increases. The heart rate increases, allowing oxygen-rich blood to reach the organs faster. Blood pressure also increases during this time. Even though blood pressure rises during exercise, the greatest benefit of exercise is an overall lower resting blood pressure. Exercise strengthens the heart. According to the Mayo Clinic, a strong heart can pump more blood with less effort. The force on arteries decreases, lowering blood pressure.
Stress
The autonomic nervous system controls many functions of the body automatically. The sympathetic nervous system is in charge of the "fight or flight" response, which triggers certain hormones and increases blood pressure, heart rate and respirations during stressful situations. During an acute stressful situation, adrenaline and other hormones are secreted, increasing blood pressure. When a person remains in a constant state of stress, blood pressure can continue to rise. At this point, finding effective ways to relieve stress is important.
Diet
Diets high in sodium can cause a rise in blood pressure. Sodium increases the overall fluid volume in the body. The heart is forced to pump harder to overcome the force of the extra fluid. Processed foods contain unhealthy amounts of sodium and should be avoided. These foods include but are not limited to canned soups, deli meats and frozen dinners.
