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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #20564
46 days ago
74

reason for high blood pressure - #20564

Vihaan

I am really worried about my health lately. A few months ago, I went in for just a routine check-up, right? And boom! The doc tells me I have high blood pressure. I mean, I've always thought I was pretty healthy – I work out, eat decent, try to sleep enough. But now I’m thinkin', what could be the reason for high blood pressure? I’ve read online that sometimes stress can play a role, but I’ve also been dealing with a lotta stuff at work. My job is super demanding and it feels like I barely have time to breathe, let alone chill. I also wonder if my diet is part of it. Like, I usually avoid high sodium foods, but every once in a while, I grab fast food when I'm in a rush. Could that be a reason for high blood pressure too? I keep getting these headaches and feeling fatigued, which makes me think my body is trying to tell me something. And the weird part is my family doesn’t have a history of hypertension, which makes me curious about the cause. I don’t wanna end up on meds or something. What are some common reasons for high blood pressure that maybe I'm missing? Are there tests I should ask my doc about? Any advice would be super helpful!

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Doctors' responses

Several factors can contribute to high blood pressure, even if you’re generally healthy. Stress, like you’ve experienced at work, can indeed affect your blood pressure. It triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, leading to a temporary increase in blood pressure. If stress becomes chronic, those temporary increases can become more permanent. Your diet also plays a crucial role. While occasional fast food might seem harmless, it can add up over time. Fast foods often contain high levels of sodium, which can lead to water retention and increased blood pressure. Even if you’re generally avoiding high-sodium foods, hidden sodium in processed foods, sauces, and bread can add up. Your physical activity level is important, too. Regular exercise helps maintain healthy blood pressure, but being consistent is key, and intense job stress might be negatively impacting these efforts. Despite not having a family history, hypertension can develop due to lifestyle factors and age. It’s worth assessing alcohol and caffeine intake, as they can also play roles. Also, ensure you’re getting enough potassium through fruits and vegetables, like bananas or spinach, which help balance sodium levels. Your headaches and fatigue could be related to high blood pressure or possibly other things like poor sleep or high stress. It’s essential to consistently monitor your blood pressure readings and keep track of patterns. Discussing these observations with your doctor could be valuable, and they may recommend further tests. Typical assessments might include testing for secondary causes like kidney function, checking cholesterol levels, or assessing your heart health with an ECG. Blood tests can rule out issues like thyroid problems that contribute to hypertension. Lastly, incorporating relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, might help manage the stress component. If lifestyle adjustments alone don’t seem sufficient, your doctor might suggest medication to help get things under control. Getting your provider’s guidance is crucial to navigate this effectively and safely.

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