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What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Date: 05/21/26

High blood pressure, also called Hypertension, is a chronic condition where your heart must work harder to pump blood. Hypertension can lead to other serious problems like heart attack and stroke.

Although some factors that can cause hypertension cannot be avoided, there are some that can. A few factors that can increase your risk of high blood pressure are:

  • Old age.
  • Family history of hypertension.
  • Being overweight or obese.
  • Lack of physical activity.
  • An unhealthy diet high in salt and fat.
  • Drinking too much alcohol.
  • Tobacco use.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers:

  1. Systolic blood pressure: This number represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats.
  2. Diastolic blood pressure: This number represents the pressure when your heart rests between beats.

If your systolic blood pressure is frequently above 140 and your diastolic blood pressure is above 90, your doctor may diagnose you with hypertension. For people who have hypertension, eating healthy and staying active are more important than ever. Your doctor may also prescribe medications and set a blood pressure goal that you need to stay under. Keeping your blood pressure under control can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and other health problems.

For more information about hypertension, its causes and how to manage it, visit the resources below: