The causes of blood pressure spikes can be both physical and emotional in nature. A patient with intermittent high blood pressure may not be in a constant state of hypertension, but that doesn't mean he is safe from the dangers of hypertension. According to a March 2010 article in "Consumer Reports," blood pressure spikes can still be indicative of higher stroke risk. Individuals with the highest variance in pressure are at the greatest risk of having a stroke.
White Coat Hypertension
A patient may have white coat hypertension if her blood pressure spikes when it is measured by a medical professional. Even though an individual's blood pressure rate may normalize after leaving the clinical environment, doctors still believe that white coat hypertension is the precursor of long-term hypertension, according to the MayoClinic.com. In the United States, doctors consider a patient prehypertensive, in need of lifestyle changes, if his systolic rate is 120 to 139 or his diastolic rate is 80 to 89. Systolic pressure--the force of the heart pumping blood--is the first number given in a blood pressure reading. Diastolic pressure--the pressure of blood against arterial walls--is the second number.
Food
Certain foods can trigger a blood pressure spike. According to the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, blood pressure is reduced by eating foods that are low in cholesterol and fat. Conversely, eating high cholesterol foods can trigger blood pressure spikes. Around the holiday season, particularly in December and January, higher intakes of salt, cholesterol and alcohol tend to increase blood pressure and the potential for heart attacks.
Emotional Triggers
Moments of high stress and other emotional triggers can cause spikes in blood pressure. There is a physiological reason for this. When the brain perceives a threat, the central nervous system is stimulated. It releases adrenaline, a hormone that pushes blood faster through the body and to the muscles, preparing the body for battle. The surge in adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, increases a person's heart rate and triggers a spike in her blood pressure.
