10 Surprising Things That Raise Your Blood Pressure
The Bigger Picture
You’ve probably heard that you should limit your salt intake, especially if you have high blood pressure. Because it causes your body to retain water, it puts additional strain on your heart and blood vessels. Blood pressure can be raised by a variety of factors, including salt, stress, and rage. Although transient “spikes” aren’t always a problem, persistently high numbers might cause considerable harm.
Added Sugar
It may play an even bigger role in elevating blood pressure than salt, especially in processed forms like high-fructose corn syrup. The level of added sugars in a person’s diet has a substantial impact on both their upper and lower numbers. One 24-ounce soft drink causes a 15-point increase in systolic pressure (the top number, or the pressure during a heartbeat) and a 9-point increase in diastolic pressure (the pressure between heartbeats) (the bottom number, or the pressure between beats).
Loneliness
It’s not just about how many friends you have; it’s about how connected you feel. And being anxious or depressed isn’t enough to account for the result. It also grows worse over time: in a research, the upper blood pressure of the loneliest persons increased by more than 14 points over four years. According to the researchers, having a persistent dread of rejection and disappointment, as well as feeling more concerned about your safety and security, may alter how your body functions.
Sleep Apnea
People who suffer from sleep apnea are more likely to develop excessive blood pressure and other cardiac problems. Your nervous system generates chemicals that elevate your blood pressure when your breathing is regularly stopped while you’re sleeping. Furthermore, you’re getting less oxygen, which may damage blood vessel walls and make it more difficult for your body to control your blood pressure in the future.
Not Enough Potassium
To keep the proper quantity of fluid in your blood, your kidneys require a balance of sodium and potassium. So, even if you follow a low-salt diet, if you don’t consume enough fruits, vegetables, beans, low-fat dairy, or seafood, your blood pressure may rise. While bananas are a good source of potassium, broccoli, water chestnuts, spinach, and other leafy greens are healthier if you’re trying to lose weight.