Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure exerted by the blood against the arterial walls is higher than the normal. It will not show up any visible symptoms, but can lead to further complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, etc. High blood pressure can be dangerous as the patient does not realize the condition, until it affects other body organs.
As the health condition is common among adults in the US, the misconceptions about the condition are also high. Here are five commonly asked questions and answers regarding the causes of high blood pressure.
- Can stress cause blood pressure?
Yes, stress has a connection with your blood pressure levels. However, there is no proof to the fact that high stress will lead to hypertension. When you are stressed, your heart beats will go up, and the blood vessels will narrow down. Accordingly, the blood pressure levels will also shoot up. If you are suffering from chronic stress symptoms for a longer period, it can act as a cause of high blood pressure.
- Does smoking lead to blood pressure?
Yes. If you are a heavy smoker, you are at a higher risk of getting high blood pressure. The chemical components that are present in tobacco can cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels. Then the arterial walls get narrowed and the pressure exerted by the flowing blood will increase accordingly. You are not free from the risk, even if you are a passive smoker.
- Does salt intake increase the risk of blood pressure?
There is no doubt that your salt intake has a direct effect on your blood pressure levels. Eating higher quantity of salt will increase the amount of sodium in your body. It will put extra strain on the walls of the arteries, and therefore, the arterial walls become thicker. This will bring down the space for the blood to flow, hence the blood pressure levels will shoot up.
- Does hypertension lead to heart disease?
Hypertension can lead to a variety of heart conditions. They are collectively known as hypertensive heart diseases. It can put your health and life at risk. The increased blood pressure can cause you sharp pains in the heart, which is called as angina. Hypertensive heart diseases include failure of the heart, thickening of the heart muscles, and coronary heart diseases.
- Does kidney disease lead to high blood pressure?
Yes, it is definitely a cause of high blood pressure. The health of your kidneys plays a major role in your blood pressure levels. Renal hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure elevates due to kidney diseases. It occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the kidney narrows down. Also, hypertension can lead to complications in your kidney functions.