SURPRISING THINGS THAT RAISE YOUR BLOOD PRESURE

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SURPRISING THINGS THAT RAISE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

The Bigger Picture
You've probably heard to watch the amount of
salt you eat, especially if you're concerned
about your blood pressure. That's because it
makes your body hold on to water, putting extra
stress on your heart and blood vessels. Salt --
and worry, and anger -- aren't the only things
that can raise your blood pressure. Although
temporary "spikes" aren't necessarily a problem,
numbers that remain high over time can cause
serious damage.

Added Sugar
It may be even more important than salt in
raising your blood pressure, especially in a
processed form like high-fructose corn syrup.
People with more added sugars in their diet see
a significant rise in both their upper and lower
numbers. Just one 24-ounce soft drink causes
an average 15-point bump in systolic pressure
(the top number, or the pressure during a
heartbeat) and 9 in diastolic (the bottom
number, or the pressure between beats).

Loneliness
This isn't just about the number of friends you
have -- it's about feeling connected. And being
stressed or depressed doesn't fully explain the
effect. It also gets worse with time: Over 4
years, the upper blood pressure of the loneliest
people in a study went up more than 14 points.
The researchers think an ongoing fear of
rejection and disappointment and feeling more
alert about your safety and security may
change how your body works.

Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea have higher odds of
getting high blood pressure and other heart
problems. When your breathing is repeatedly
interrupted while you're sleeping, your nervous
system releases chemicals that raise your blood
pressure. Plus, you're getting less oxygen,
which could damage blood vessel walls and
make it harder for your body to regulate your
blood pressure down the road.

Not Enough Potassium
Your kidneys need a balance of sodium and
potassium to keep the right amount of fluid in
your blood. So even if you're eating a low-salt
diet, you could still have higher blood pressure
if you're not also eating enough fruits, veggies,
beans, low-fat dairy, or fish. While you may
think of bananas as the go-to source, broccoli,
water chestnuts, spinach, and other leafy
greens are better to get potassium if you're
watching your weight.

Pain
Sudden, or acute, pain ramps up
your nervous system and raises your
blood pressure. You can see this
effect when you put one hand in ice
water, press on your cheek or
fingernail, or get an electric shock to
your finger.

Herbal Supplements
Do you take ginkgo, ginseng, guarana,
ephedra, bitter orange, or St. John's wort?
These and others can raise your blood
pressure or change how medications work,
including drugs to control high blood
pressure.

Thyroid Problems
When this gland doesn't make enough thyroid
hormone, your heart rate slows, and your
arteries get less stretchy. Low hormone levels
also might raise your LDL "bad" cholesterol,
another thing that can stiffen arteries. Blood
moves through hard vessels faster, pushing on
the walls and raising the pressure. Though not
as common, too much thyroid hormone can
make your heart beat harder and faster, which
will also bump up your numbers.

You Have to Pee
Systolic pressure went up an average of
about 4 points, and diastolic, 3 points, in a
study of middle-aged women who hadn't
gone to the bathroom for at least 3 hours.
Men and women of different ages saw
similar effects. High blood pressure
becomes more likely as you age, so you
need to get accurate readings. An empty
bladder could be one way to help do that

NSAIDs
All nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can raise
your numbers -- whether you're healthy or
you already have high blood pressure.
Though the average rise is only a few
points, there's a wide range, which means it
could affect some people much more than
others.

Your Doctor's Office
You might see a difference if you compare
readings during an appointment to the numbers
you get at home. Named for the traditional garb of
medical professionals, the "white coat effect" is the
rise in blood pressure -- up to 10 points higher for
systolic (the upper number) and 5 for diastolic (the
lower number) -- that can happen simply because
of where you are. The bump is likely due to nerves
or anxiety.

Decongestants
Ingredients like pseudoephedrine and
phenylephrine can narrow your blood vessels.
That means the same amount of blood has to
squeeze through a smaller space, like a crowd
pushing through a hallway. These drugs can
also make blood pressure medications less
effective. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you
choose over-the-counter products for sinus
problems and colds that are safer if you have
high blood pressure.

Dehydration
When your body’s cells don't have enough
water, your blood vessels tighten up. This
happens because your brain sends a signal
to your pituitary gland to release a chemical
that shrinks them. And your kidneys make
less pee, to hang on to the fluid you do
have, which also triggers tiny blood vessels
in your heart and brain to squeeze more.

Hormonal Birth Control
Pills, injections, and other birth control
devices use hormones that narrow blood
vessels, so it's possible your blood pressure
will go up. It's more likely to be a problem for
women who are older than 35, overweight, or
smokers. You may want to keep an eye on
your blood pressure, checking every 6-12
months. A lower dose of estrogen may keep
your numbers closer to normal.

Talking
It happens whether you're young or old and
no matter where you are. The higher your
resting blood pressure, the higher the
numbers go when you start speaking. And
the effect lasts for a few minutes. It seems
the subject and emotional content of what
you're saying matters more than the fact
that you're moving your mouth.

Antidepressants
Medicines that target brain chemicals like
dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin --
including venlafaxine (Effexor), monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic
antidepressants, and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
-- can change not only your mood but also your
blood pressure. Selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) might raise it if you're also
taking lithium or other drugs that affect serotonin.

Thank You

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