When you put your arm in a sphygmomanometer cuff at the doctor's office, the device measures how much force it takes to stop the flow of blood through your arteries. This is the equivalent of the pressure produced by the heart. Readings that are abnormally high indicate that the heart is working too hard to pump adequate amounts of oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. The strain can eventually lead to a heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure or stroke. Hypertension is also associated with diabetes, vision loss and other illnesses, and has several possible reasons, or contributing factors.
Secondary Hypertension
High blood pressure that is the result of another condition is called secondary hypertension. The Mayo Clinic lists some reasons for secondary hypertension: structural abnormalities of the kidneys, adrenal gland tumors and being born with defects of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. Treating secondary hypertension involves treating the underlying cause.
Predisposing Factors
Some reasons, or risk factors, for high blood pressure cannot be controlled. The presence of one or more of these makes it more likely, but not inevitable, that you will develop high blood pressure. Some common predisposing factors are a strong family history of hypertension among close blood relatives, advanced age, race (blacks are more likely to develop more severe hypertension at an earlier age than whites, according to the American Heart Association), and being a male or postmenopausal female.
Lifestyle Factors
Being overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes as well as hypertension, and the two conditions frequently occur together. A high body mass index (over 30 is considered obese) is associated with high serum cholesterol and an increased workload on the heart. Losing as little as 10 lbs. can lower blood pressure significantly, as can regular moderate exercise. A lack of physical activity contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Good nutrition is also a tool in the fight against obesity. A high-fiber diet that includes healthy fats and plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains is associated with lower cholesterol and normal blood pressure. Too much salt can contribute to hypertension by causing fluid retention, which adds to strain on the heart.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is much more difficult to control blood pressure in patients who drink heavily. Reduced alcohol consumption may dramatically lower blood pressure. Smoking is also a major risk for heart disease and hypertension. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and contributes to hardening of the arteries. To pump blood through arteries that are inflexible, the heart must work harder, and blood pressure increases. According to Tobacco Free Maine, improved circulation occurs within weeks of quitting smoking.
