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Common Causes Of High Blood Pressure Everyone Needs To Know
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a widespread health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It's a condition where the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high, which can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.
But what causes high blood pressure? Let's explore some of the common factors and what research tells us about them.
One major cause of high blood pressure is genetics. If your parents or close relatives have high blood pressure, you're more likely to develop it too. This is because certain genes that regulate blood pressure can be passed down through families.
Studies have identified several genetic markers linked to high blood pressure, which helps doctors understand why some people are more at risk.
However, having a family history of high blood pressure doesn't mean you're destined to have it. Lifestyle choices still play a significant role in managing your risk.
Diet is another critical factor. Consuming too much salt is one of the leading dietary causes of high blood pressure. Salt makes the body hold onto extra water, which increases the volume of blood, and subsequently the pressure in the arteries.
Many processed and packaged foods contain high levels of salt, so it's important to read labels and choose lower-sodium options. On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help manage blood pressure.
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is specifically designed to combat high blood pressure and has been shown to be very effective in research studies.
Being overweight or obese also increases the risk of high blood pressure. Extra weight means the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, which can raise blood pressure.
Research has shown that losing even a small amount of weight can significantly reduce blood pressure in people who are overweight.
Regular physical activity is key to weight management and overall heart health. Exercise helps the heart use oxygen more efficiently, reducing the effort needed to pump blood and lowering blood pressure.
Stress is another contributor to high blood pressure. When you're stressed, your body produces hormones that temporarily increase blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to narrow.
Chronic stress can lead to long-term high blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through relaxation techniques, exercise, or hobbies, can have a positive impact on your blood pressure.
Smoking and alcohol consumption are lifestyle factors that can cause high blood pressure. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls, causing them to narrow and increase blood pressure. Similarly, excessive alcohol intake can raise blood pressure.
However, moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to have some protective effects on the heart. The key is moderation – no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
Certain medical conditions and medications can also lead to high blood pressure. For example, conditions like diabetes and kidney disease can affect the body's ability to regulate blood pressure.
Some medications, such as birth control pills, cold medications, and pain relievers, can also increase blood pressure. If you have a condition or are taking medication that affects your blood pressure, it's important to work with your doctor to manage these risks.
Age and race are additional factors that influence blood pressure. As people age, their blood vessels naturally lose some of their elasticity, which can increase blood pressure.
Research also shows that high blood pressure is more common in African Americans, who tend to develop it at a younger age and have more severe complications.
In conclusion, high blood pressure is a complex condition with multiple causes, including genetics, diet, weight, stress, lifestyle choices, medical conditions, and age.
Understanding these factors can help you take steps to manage your blood pressure and reduce your risk of related health problems.
By making healthier choices and working with your healthcare provider, you can keep your blood pressure under control and protect your overall health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about potatoes and high blood pressure, and top 10 choices for a blood pressure-friendly diet
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about impact of vitamins on high blood pressure you need to know, and the powerful link between high blood pressure and a potassium-rich diet.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
The Psychology Behind High Blood Pressure Anxiety
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common health issue that affects many people worldwide.
But did you know that anxiety can also play a significant role in high blood pressure? Let's explore the connection between these two in a way that's easy to understand.
When people hear the term "high blood pressure," they often think of physical health problems like heart attacks or strokes.
However, the mind and body are closely linked, and mental health can have a big impact on physical health. Anxiety is one of the mental health issues that can affect blood pressure.
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear that can be mild or severe. When you're anxious, your body goes into a state of alertness, often called the "fight or flight" response.
This response is useful in dangerous situations because it prepares your body to either face the danger or run away from it. But if you're always anxious, your body stays in this high-alert state for too long, which can lead to health problems.
One of the ways anxiety affects the body is by raising blood pressure. When you're anxious, your heart beats faster and your blood vessels tighten.
This causes your blood pressure to go up. If this happens often, it can lead to long-term high blood pressure, which is bad for your heart and overall health.
Research has shown that there is a strong link between anxiety and high blood pressure. For example, a study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that people with high levels of anxiety were more likely to develop high blood pressure over time.
Another study in the American Journal of Hypertension discovered that people who experienced anxiety attacks had higher blood pressure than those who did not.
But why does anxiety cause high blood pressure? One reason is the body's stress hormones. When you're anxious, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
These hormones make your heart beat faster and your blood vessels narrow, which increases blood pressure. Over time, high levels of these hormones can cause long-lasting damage to your blood vessels, leading to chronic high blood pressure.
Another reason is behavior. People with anxiety might develop habits that are not good for blood pressure. For instance, they might smoke, drink alcohol, or eat unhealthy foods to cope with their anxiety. These habits can raise blood pressure even more.
It's also important to consider the role of genetics. Some people are more prone to anxiety and high blood pressure due to their genetic makeup. If your parents or grandparents had high blood pressure or anxiety, you might be more likely to experience these issues too.
The good news is that there are ways to manage anxiety and lower blood pressure. One effective method is relaxation techniques. Practices like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.
Regular exercise is also beneficial. It not only helps lower blood pressure but also reduces anxiety by releasing endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that make you feel good.
Therapy can also be very helpful. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps you change negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and, as a result, lowering blood pressure.
Medications can also play a role. If anxiety is severe, a doctor might prescribe anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants. These medications can help manage anxiety symptoms, which in turn can help control blood pressure.
In conclusion, anxiety and high blood pressure are closely linked. Anxiety can cause your blood pressure to rise, and if left unmanaged, it can lead to chronic high blood pressure.
Understanding this connection is important because it highlights the need to address both mental and physical health.
By managing anxiety through relaxation techniques, exercise, therapy, and medication, it's possible to keep both your mind and body healthy. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Common Blood Pressure Drug May Make Leukemia More Responsive To Chemotherapy While Protecting Heart
COLUMBIA, Mo. ― Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that a targeted gene therapy may make acute myeloid leukemia (AML) more sensitive to chemotherapy, while also protecting the heart against toxicity often caused by cancer treatments.
Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in adults and the resulting chemotherapy treatment can put patients at an increased risk for cardiac damage. Associate Professor of Medicine Dr. Xunlei Kang and PhD students Yi Pan and Chen Wang led a study looking at similarities between leukemia and cardiovascular disease. They found a shared target -- AGTR1, a receptor responsible for cell reproduction, was overabundant in the blood cells of patients with leukemia.
The researchers used losartan, a common medicine for treating high blood pressure, to inhibit the AGTR1 receptor in mice. This disrupted cancer growth, slowing the development of leukemia and led to longer survival. The next step is to further investigate losartan's effectiveness in treating human leukemia patients.
"Mouse models of leukemia differ from human disease in several ways, including differences in the immune system, the bone marrow microenvironment and responses to treatments," Pan said. "We will now carefully interpret and validate these findings in human studies to ensure translational relevance," Pan said.
If these findings are confirmed in human clinical trials, the approval process to use losartan would be shorter compared to other medications, since it's already FDA-approved and will not require comprehensive data about the drug.
"When we treated mice with the AGTR1 inhibitor losartan, we observed that this commercially available drug shows great promise in reducing AML development while protecting against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity," Kang said. "This finding shows great potential to both enhance the success of chemotherapy while protecting the heart."
Dr. Xunlei Kang, MD, PhD is an associate professor of medicine at the MU School of Medicine and focuses his research on blood conditions and stem cell study. He received his medical degree and doctorate from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.
"Inhibiting AGTR1 reduces AML burden and protects the heart from cardiotoxicity in mouse models" was recently published in the journal of Science Translational Medicine. In addition to Kang, Pan and Chen, authors include research specialists Wenxuan Zhou and Yao Shi; PhD student XiaDuo Meng, Hematology and Medical Oncology fellow Yasir Muhammad, MD; Richard D. Hammer, MD, professor of clinical pathology and anatomical sciences; De-Pei Li, MD, professor of medicine and associate director of the Center for Precision Medicine; Zhenguo Liu, MD, professor of medicine and chief of cardiology; and Gerhard Hildebrandt, MD, Chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology. Bei Jia and Hong Zheng from Penn State University College of Medicine also contributed to the paper.
JournalScience Translational Medicine
Method of ResearchObservational study
Subject of ResearchAnimals
Article TitleInhibiting AGTR1 reduces AML burden and protects the heart from cardiotoxicity in mouse models
Article Publication Date19-Jun-2024
COI StatementG.H. Is affiliated with Pfizer, Kite, a Gilead company, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Morphosys, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Seagen, Janssen, RAPA Therapeutics, Daichiy, Ono Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca, CTI BioPharma Corp, Takeda, and Pharmacyclics. All other authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! Are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! By contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
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