by Ginger Kazay

Created on: February 14, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Like many diseases there is no single cause of hypertension. There are, however, risk factors which can cause hypertension to develop; especially when more than one risk factor is involved.

The risk factors are:

1) Age - Older arteries, heart, and veins that are filling up with plaque and get too narrow for proper blood flow.

2) Genes - People with parents and/or siblings with high blood pressure are at increased risk.

3) Alcohol - More than two drinks per day on a regular basis, with the exception of red wine.

4) Caffeine - Causes a short-term increase in blood pressure.

5) Obesity - These two problems are commonly found together and a decrease in weight DOES lower blood pressure.

6) Stress - This causes a short term increase in blood pressure. Unless a person is under constant stress they would not develop hypertension; but, it could make hypertension worse.

7) Kidney Problems - People with kidney disease almost always develop high blood pressure.

8) Hormonal Imbalances - When hormones are affected by adrenal gland problems; hypertension does develop.

9) High Sodium Intake - Too much salt causes problems for SOME individuals.

10) Sleep Apnea - Many individuals with sleep apnea develop high blood pressure.

11) Cold Medicines - The ones containing pseudoephedrine have been found to increase blood pressure in hypertensive people, although they appear to pose no danger for those with normal blood pressure. So they don't cause it; but they do make it worse.

12) Oral Contraceptives (the Pill) - Increase the risk for high blood pressure, stopping the contraceptive lowers the blood pressure.

13) Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - This is an important cause of secondary hypertension in the elderly population. Such drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Rufen), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and many others. Many older people take them daily for arthritis pain.

14) Smoking - No surprise here; but, smokers routinely had blood presusre readings that were 10 points higher that non-smokers.

So now you know what can cause hypertension and what can make it worse.

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