Causes of Hypertension

Despite the fact that the causes of essential (primary) hypertension are unknown to most of our medical friends, researchers have provided some guidance.

When doctors say they don't know what causes primary hypertension, they mean they know of no germs or pathological conditions that lead to this type of high blood pressure.

Thus, their recommended treatment becomes primarily which drug to prescribe, what to avoid, and what lifestyle and dietary changes to make.

My blood pressure used to be 170/85. When my doctor discovered that, he seemingly freaked out. He put me on a common blood pressure drug and told me that normal blood pressure was a thing of my past, never to return again.

But, my body is a biological machine, I thought. What did I know about machines? I knew that if I put the wrong stuff into my car (a machine) and did't change the oil, it would fill up with gunk and wouldn't work right.

Could the same be true of bodies? I asked myself.

I think I got the right answer. It's not complicated - put the wrong stuff in the biological machine (body) and what do you know - gunk!

How about these connections: caffeine and blood pressure, alcohol and blood pressure, smoking and high blood pressure, salt and hypertension?

Each one of these can elevate or intensify hypertension.

Now, we've got a handle on this mysterious condition. Here are some gunk producers: tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, salt, sugar, processed and cured foods, and some medications.

Not only stuff you swallow produces gunk. Suppose you let your car sit in the garage for months. Sludge would accumulate in the oil. Water would condense in the gasoline. Rust would form. You'd be surprised.

Now, translate this reasoning to a body that sits around. That's right, gunk will build up from that, too. So, we must exercise to keep body sludge from settling out in organs and blood vessels.

Although eating correctly and exercising may be difficult to do, not doing so will fill your body up with gunk and give you high blood pressure and other harmful conditions.

Here's some good advice to tackle this head on: Make a list of what things to avoid in order of easiest to hardest, then start with the easiest one, conquer that, then go on to the next hardest and so on.

Always do the easiest one first, then as you begin getting rid of these bad guys, you'll gain more confidence and strength to handle the tougher ones.

Sound more like a war than a picnic? It should. Lowering blood pressure is not easy in most cases. But, attaining normal blood pressure is definitely worth the effort.