13 Possible Causes of Hypertension

Hypertension is caused by one of several factors. Primary hypertension for example, develops when there are predisposing factors which is the hereditary link and for this to cause hypertension to come up other factors known as precipitating factors have to combine with them. The causes of hypertension therefore are discussed below:
1.Heredity: Primary hypertension is known to run in families. This can be directly passed on from parents to their offspring or from the grand parents to other generations even though there are no underlying diseases.
2.Obesity: Excessive weight gain can also trigger off primary hypertension. When an individual begins to add much weight extra work is added to the heart and the system is also stressed. This in the long run leads to primary hypertension.
3.Emotional stress: Emotional stress is known to release adrenaline which increases heartbeat, constrict surface blood vessels and lead to increase in blood pressure. Emotional stress, if not controlled can be a good source of primary hypertension.
4.Excessive salt intake: Excessive consumption of table salt (sodium chloride) by predisposed individuals makes the kidneys to retain more fluid and subsequently lead to hypertension.
5.Nervous activities: Over activity of the autonomic nervous system also leads to the over secretion adrenaline from the adrenal gland. This system is not under the control of the individual. If it keeps stimulating the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline a state of hypertension would occur.
6.Certain drugs: Some tablets which are routinely taken by women to prevent pregnancy are known to lead to an increase in blood pressure. Other drugs which can lead to hypertension include anabolic steroids and corticosteroids.
7.Poor exercise: Poor physical exercise leads to poor muscle tone which make the muscles to over relax on peripheral blood vessels given little or no chance to expand.
8.Kidney disease: Some forms of kidney diseases which cause inflammation of the kidney nephrons lead to the release of certain enzymes into the blood stream which eventually brings about the constriction of the blood vessels. This is one of the major causes of secondary hypertension.
9.Tetanus infection: The organism that causes tetanus in man is also known to release a chemical that is capable of causing hypertension. When it infects man, this chemical or exotoxin affects the brain and the heart thereby causing hypertension.
10.Thyroid activity: The thyroid gland secrets hormones that regulate metabolic activities. But when it becomes over active it can bring about secondary hypertension.
11.Pregnancy: Some women develop hypertension during pregnancy. During their pregnancy there is raised level of protein in urine, swelling of the hands and feet, and also there is hypertension. This condition is usually referred to as toxaemia of pregnancy.
12.Tumour of Pituitary gland: The pituitary gland which is situated in the brain controls the activities of other glands in the body. When there is tumour of the pituitary gland it causes the adrenal gland to produce excess of its hormone and this eventually results in hypertension.
13.Phaeochromocytoma: This condition which is the tumour of the adrenal medulla leads to over production of adrenaline thereby bringing about constriction of the peripheral blood vessels as well increasing cardiac output. This in turn leads to secondary hypertension.