Hypertension Causes

Hypertension causes an abnormally elevated blood pressure and sometimes the body has no warning symptoms. It is known as the silent killer. Symptoms of this killer disease show up only when a body has organ damage. Primary hypertension causes are brought on by lifestyle habits, whereas secondary hypertension causes are directly related to specific disorders. Causes of hypertension in primary hypertension are unknown in about 95 percent of the cases. 

Primary Hypertension
Lifestyle habits that are causes of hypertension include eating high fat and cholesterol diets, excessive alcohol drinking, habitual smoking, constant stress, and/or too much intake of sodium. Also, a lack of frequent exercise contributes to causes of hypertension. 

A high intake of sodium increases primary hypertension in two ways. First, sodium causes smooth vascular muscle to constrict smaller blood vessels which puts more resistance to blood flow and raises the blood pressure. Second, sodium causes the body to retain water which increases the amount of water in the bloodstream. With the additional water, more pressure is exerted against the blood vessels and is one of the causes of hypertension.

In addition to certain lifestyle habits, genetics is another one of the causes of hypertension. Research has found that chromosomes 13 and 18 regulate blood pressure. It is recommended if hypertension runs in the family, see a doctor to monitor your blood pressure.

Secondary Hypertension
Secondary hypertension is directly related to these disorders: obstruction of renal artery, kidney problems, pheochromocytoma, and thyroid dysfunction - hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, coarctation of the aorta, Cushing’s syndrome and aldosteronism. 

Renal artery
When there is obstruction to the kidney artery, it can cause damage to the kidney. A narrowing kidney artery produces a hormone that raises the blood pressure. If kidneys are not able to get rid of water, sodium and waste products, the damaged kidney “may release chemicals that raise the blood pressure.” 

Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma, can contribute to causes of hypertension, and is a condition when a tumor forms inside the adrenal gland. The tumor excretes chemicals and these tumors cause spells of heart palpitations and profuse sweating, plus other symptoms. During these spells, increased blood pressure is experienced. 

Thyroid Dysfunction – Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism
Thyroid dysfunction of either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, are causes of hypertension. The thyroid regulates body metabolism. If the thyroid produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, then the body suffers from hyperthyroidism causing prominent eyes, weight loss, and increased blood pressure to name a few. Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism because too little of hormone thyroxine is produced, and the condition also elevates blood pressure and is also one of the causes of hypertension. 

Coarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of the aorta is the narrowing of the main artery from the heart. This causes high blood pressure in the arms and low pressure in the legs, and is also one of the causes of hypertension.
Cushing’s Syndrome and Aldosteronism
Cushing’s syndrome and aldosteronism is when the body has excessive amounts of cortisol, a hormone. Cortisol is produced by adrenal glands and disorders of the adrenal glands can be genetic. 

Herbal Supplements, Medication and Illicit Drugs
Additional causes of hypertension include herbal supplements interference with blood pressure medication. Medications including appetite suppressants, Aleve, Motrin, Advil, and nasal decongestants and sprays can also increase blood pressure. Illicit drugs have been known to be one of the causes of hypertension by narrowing arteries and damaging the heart muscle. 

In summary, there is primary and secondary hypertension causes. Primary hypertension causes are unknown and are related to lifestyle habits including eating, alcohol, smoking, stress, lack of exercise and genetics. Secondary hypertension causes are related to specific disorders: obstruction of renal artery, kidney problems, pheochromocytoma, thyroid dysfunction - hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, coarctation of the aorta, Cushing’s syndrome and aldosteronism.

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