Did you know that 1 in every 5 adults in the United States suffers from hypertension?
Due to its chronic nature, high blood pressure is considered a serious condition. One that can lead to various health complications if not properly managed. However, this doesn’t mean that every time your blood pressure rises, it’s due to chronic hypertension.
Sometimes, certain acts or lifestyle choices can cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. Although this might not be severe, it can still be a cause for concern.
What Is The Main Cause Of High Blood Pressure?
The thing with hypertension is that it doesn’t just suddenly appear. It takes time to develop and grow. Whether it’s due to poor health or pre-existing conditions, it doesn’t matter. Because once you get diagnosed with hypertension, there’s no getting rid of it.
The main cause for this disease, though, can be narrowed down to genetics, heavy salt intake, obesity, and the like. Factors like stress and old age can also affect your heart’s regulatory system, but usually, it is the lack of physical activity that truly leads up to it.
What Can Cause A Sudden Increase In Your Blood Pressure?
If you don’t suffer from chronic high blood pressure, take that as a good sign. However, if you’re used to random spikes in your blood pressure, it is best to get it checked out. You should also watch out for the following elements that can be the reason behind a sudden increase:
- Caffeine
Consuming excess caffeine can lead to a temporary spike in one’s blood pressure. Limiting your caffeine consumption is the best way to prevent chronic hypertension development. - Certain Medications
Some medicines or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as decongestants, can cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. Always make sure you’re not mixing your prescriptions with each other. - Habit of Smoking or Vaping
The habit of smoking is one that effectively ruins your health. Try to avoid these habits as much as you can. - Extreme Anxiety & Stress
A stressful or anxious situation can get your blood pressure to shoot. Rather than stressing about it more, take steps to calm yourself down. - Hormonal Imbalance
When your adrenal glands produce excess hormones, that, too, can affect your blood pressure levels. - Drug Usage
It is common for your body to suffer from mental and physical disturbances after abusing drugs. This also includes irregularities in your heart’s rhythmic pattern. - Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Conditions like scleroderma, thyroid, collagen vascular disorder, etc., can all be the reasons behind raised blood pressure levels. - Sudden Pain
Acute pain is one of the biggest factors that can get your nervous system to shoot. This then creates a link between your blood pressure levels, causing them to increase as well. - Dehydration
When your body is running low on water levels, your blood vessels automatically tighten up, causing your heart to race.
Here’s How To Lower Sudden Spike In Blood Pressure
In case of acute high blood pressure, try the following tips to bring your blood pressure down a notch:
- Try calming breathing exercises.
- Take a warm, relaxing bath or shower.
- Give your body some rest by lying down or doing yoga.
- Avoid smoking or vaping.
- Stick to maintaining a healthy diet.
- Drink water and keep yourself hydrated.
- Do your best to cool your body down.
Long Story Short
To sum it up, there are many factors that can cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. From having too much caffeine to stressing out uncharacteristically, the reasons behind a blood pressure spike are numerous. It is the way you deal with it that truly matters. Rather than tackling hypertension on your own, reach out to a medical professional for an in-depth evaluation.
For more information, contact Aqeeq Internal Medicine at (832) 786-8195. You can also visit our clinic, located inside the Cairnway Plaza, at 16125 Cairnway Drive Ste 114, Houston, TX 77084.