Perspective
You’ve undoubtedly heard to limit salt intake if you have high blood pressure. It causes your body to retain water, stressing your heart and blood vessels. Worry and anger may also elevate blood pressure. Temporary “spikes” aren’t a concern, but persistently high numbers may be.
Sugar-Added
High-fructose corn syrup may raise blood pressure more than salt. Added sugars raise both upper and lower levels. One 24-ounce soda raises systolic blood pressure by 15 points and diastolic by 9.
Loneliness
This is about feeling connected, not simply having pals. Stress or depression don’t explain the result. Worsens with time: In a 4-year research, the loneliest people’s blood pressure rose 14 points. Fear of rejection, failure, and feeling unsafe may influence how your body operates, say experts.
AAP
Sleep apnea causes high blood pressure and cardiac issues. Your nervous system generates substances that elevate blood pressure while you sleep with irregular breathing. Less oxygen might damage blood vessel walls and make it difficult to control blood pressure.
Potassium deficiency
Your kidneys require salt and potassium to regulate blood fluid. Even on a low-salt diet, you might have high blood pressure if you don’t consume enough fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat dairy, or seafood. Broccoli, water chestnuts, spinach, and other leafy greens are superior potassium sources if you’re dieting.
Pain
Acute pain elevates your blood pressure and neurological system. Put one hand in freezing water, push on your face or fingernail, or receive an electric shock to your finger.
Vitamins
Take ginseng, guarana, ephedra, bitter orange, or St. John’s wort? These may elevate blood pressure or modify how medicines operate, especially blood pressure meds.
Hypothyroidism
Without adequate thyroid hormone, your heart rate decreases and your arteries tighten. Low hormone levels may elevate LDL “bad” cholesterol, which may harden arteries. Blood travels quicker through rigid veins, increasing pressure. Too much thyroid hormone might make your heart beat harder and quicker, raising your numbers.
Pee!
Middle-aged women who hadn’t gone to the restroom for 3 hours had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Different-aged men and women had comparable impacts. Getting accurate blood pressure measurements is important as you age. Empty bladder may help.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs Aspirin and ibuprofen may elevate your blood pressure, even if you’re healthy. The average hike is just a few points, but there’s a broad variation, so it might effect some more than others.
Clinic
Compare appointment readings to home readings to observe a difference. The “white coat effect” is a spike in blood pressure — up to 10 points for systolic and 5 for diastolic — caused by your location. Nerves or worry caused the lump.
Decongestants
Decongestants include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Same quantity of blood must squeeze through a smaller area, as a throng in a corridor. These substances may weaken blood pressure meds. Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend safe OTC sinus and cold remedies if you have high blood pressure.
Dehydration
Blood arteries constrict when cells lack water. Your pituitary gland shrinks them when your brain sends a signal. Your kidneys produce less urine to save fluid, which squeezes small blood arteries in your heart and brain.
Contraception hormones
Pills, injections, and other birth control utilize hormones that restrict blood arteries, thus blood pressure may rise. It’s more common in older, overweight, or smoking women. Every 6-12 months, check your blood pressure. Lower estrogen doses may maintain levels normal.
Talking
It occurs young and elderly, everywhere. Greater resting blood pressure means higher speaking blood pressure. It’s temporary. Subject and emotional content matter more than lip movement.
Antidepressants
Medicines that target dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, such venlafaxine (Effexor), MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), may affect your mood and blood pressure. If you’re using lithium or other serotonin-affecting medicines, SSRIs may boost it.
