Know the dangerous causes of high blood pressure

High blood pressure is often known as the silent killer. As we go throughout life, it’s important to pay attention to how active we are with our fitness. It’s crucial we note what we are eating at every meal. And, it can be life-saving to keep our emotions in check. All three of these scenarios can play a factor in whether or not you have normal or high blood pressure. They can mean the difference between a long life, living into your 80s or beyond or—quite the opposite and dying of a fatal heart attack much sooner. So what are its causes? Let’s look at a few.
 
Smoking. Scientists and doctors have not proven this to be a concrete factor, but let’s look at the facts. With each cigarette you smoke, your blood pressure increases only minutes after smoking it. The result is buildup while it clogs within the heart’s arteries. Smoking has been linked to heart disease and stroke and this has foundation here. If you have blockage, you are increasing your chances of a fatal heart attack. Also, high blood pressure from smoking has been proven to show a higher cancer risk.
 
Poor diet. Let’s face it, we only get one body. It’s absolutely vital we feed our body healthy, nutritious foods.  A diet high in calories, fats, salts, sodium and sugars doesn’t do any good at all. In fact, a diet of this nature may increase your chances of getting high blood pressure. Think of your body as a car.  The nutritious food such as bananas and lean meats are the fuel you need for your car (in this case, carbs or energy.) But the sodas, candy bars and empty calories are cheap gas. They’re meant to make you tired and run down (as cheap gass often does for cars.) So it makes sense that high blood pressure would be an effect of that but you can make the lifestyle choice to turn it around and kick out all the bad foods from your diet.
 
Stress. It’s so important to deal with stress in a life-changing way. Think about how you deal with it. Do you scream or jump into action? How we deal with it may effect other parts of our lives. For instance, we may start exercising more or cut physical activity all together. We may start eating junk food or stay on our healthy diet. How you react is literally the line in the sand being drawn between a healthy heart and heart disease. High or normal blood pressure is that line that stands between them. It’s not too late to have a normal blood pressure number.
 
Genetics. We inherit half our chromosomes from our mother and the other half from our father. Unfortunately, we can’t pick and choose which ones we get, but high blood pressure is one that comes from either (or both) parents. It’s even possible that you could pass this genetic trait onto your own children. It’s important for you, having this knowledge, to always get your blood pressure checked. Take a proactive roll against heart disease and stroke so you lesson your chances of a heart attack. It’s not too take your life back.
 
Drinking too much alcohol. Doctors tell us a glass of red wine a day is healthy. But too much alcohol and you’re in big trouble. This is because it drives you closer to experiencing a heart attack or heart failure. Alcohol may also trigger a higher risk of encountering cancer, obesity and suicide. Anything over 1 or 2 drinks a day is strongly not recommended by doctors. It should also be noted that alcohol does contain calories and can result in a higher chance of obesity.
 
High blood pressure is nothing to take lightly. It’s something that’s not often noticed until it’s too late. It has debilitating effects that can leave you with a disability or a poor quality of life. But there is treatment available if you need it. It’s not too late to make life-saving chances that can prevent heart attacks or heart failure. So take your life back. Aren’t you worth it?