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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #14167
15 days ago
50

reasons of hypertension - #14167

Navya

I am really confused about these reasons of hypertension. Been feeling pretty terrible lately, like, so exhausted all the time. My doc says I have hypertension but didn't give me a clear reason or anything, just said to watch my salt intake, which honestly feels like the most boring advice ever! Anyway, I’ve been under a lot of stress lately — work is crazy and my sleep has been all messed up. I’m not sure if the lack of sleep could be a reason of hypertension or if it’s more about what I eat. Tried to cut back on caffeine too but honestly, coffee helps me get through the day. I've even checked my blood pressure at home and it's just all over the place, sometimes normal, then boom — really high again. It’s driving me nuts! I guess I’m also worried about family history... my dad had high blood pressure. Could that be a part of the reasons of hypertension too? Like, does genetics play a huge role? Should I be thinking about lifestyle changes more seriously? Just feeling lost here, any thoughts on the reasons of hypertension that I should really consider? It’s frustrating and I want to get to the root of this before it gets worse!

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Doctors’ responses

Hypertension can indeed have multiple contributing factors, some controllable, others less so. Genetic predisposition, like your dad’s high blood pressure, is certainly one. It can increase your risk, meaning managing other lifestyle factors becomes even more crucial. Stress and poor sleep both play significant roles too. Chronic stress can elevate hormones that increase blood pressure, and lack of sleep can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate stress hormones. These issues often become a cycle where stress leads to poor sleep, which then exacerbates stress, both worsening your blood pressure. Dietary habits, such as high salt intake, are classic factors. They can lead to fluid retention and pressure on blood vessels. While the advice to cut down salt sounds boring, it’s based on solid evidence. Reducing salt, as well as processed foods, is beneficial because they often contain hidden sodium and can elevate blood pressure. Caffeine might spike your blood pressure temporarily, so monitor how much coffee you drink. Inconsistent readings at home can occur due to many reasons — stress, activity levels, timing of measurements. Trying to check your blood pressure at the same time, when calm, and avoiding caffeine or exercise an hour prior, might help. Considering lifestyle changes is worthwhile; moderate exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins, and techniques for managing stress, can all positively impact hypertension. If changes in lifestyle don’t yield stable results, reconsulting your doctor about further tests or medication adjustments can give more insight. But yes, addressing all these aspects could stabilize your blood pressure levels before they pose more significant health risks.

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