Causes of High Blood Pressure
Factors such as lifestyle choices, genetics, medication side effects or kidney disease can lead to high blood pressure. Knowing and understanding your blood pressure readings may be the most important health numbers for you to know. Having high blood pressure increases your risk of developing macular degeneration. Even those with controlled high blood pressure have double the risk of wet macular degeneration and those with uncontrolled hypertension are three times more likely to develop wet AMD. (Ophthalmology 2003;110: 636-643) What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a serious condition that by itself does not have symptoms. People can have high blood pressure for years and not know it. Meanwhile, it is causing damage to blood vessels, the heart, kidneys and yes, the eyes and especially the macula. Knowing your blood pressure readings is extremely important. Always ask the doctor or nurse what your blood pressure readings are, write them down, and if you need a reminder ask what your numbers mean. Blood Pressure ReadingsNormal is below: 120/80Prehypertension is: 120-139/80-89 Stage 1 is: 140-159/90-99 Stage 2 is: 160 & above/100 & above Blood pressure numbers are written with the systolic number above with the diastolic listed below, such as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is millimeters of mercury—the units used to measure blood pressure.) High Blood Pressure CausesThere are certain factors that contribute to the development of high blood pressure. The causes of high blood pressure are:1) Obesity - As a persons body weight increases so does their blood pressure 2) Alcohol use - drinking more than one to two drinks of alcohol per day tends to raise blood pressure in those who are sensitive to alcohol
3) Lack of exercise - a lack of physical activity contributes to the development of obesity and high blood pressure.4) Sensitivity to salt - those who are sensitive to sodium or salt will see their blood pressure goe up if they use salt. Reducing sodium intake tends to lower their blood pressure. Americans consume 10-15 times more sodium than they need. Fast foods and processed foods contain particularly high amounts of sodium. 5) Kidney Diseases can cause secondary hypertension. Meaning that the high blood pressure is caused by another condition.
7) Adrenal Gland dysfunction or tumors. There are several disorders of the adrenal glands that can cause high blood pressure. The adrenal glands are two small organs that sit above the kidneys and produce several important hormones. How to Lower Blood PressureIf you are someone with high blood pressure, it's time to learn how to lower your blood pressure to protect your health and your vision. To find out how you can lower your blood pressure click here: How to Lower Blood PressureGo from Causes of High Blood Pressure to Blood Pressure Readings
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