High blood pressure damages the heart and blood vessels and can lead to a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and other serious health problems. There is usually no identifiable cause for hypertension, which is why the majority of cases go unchecked in the early stages. Blood pressure rises when the arterioles, the body s smallest arteries, narrow requiring the heart to beat more forcefully in order to pump the blood through them. This is turn creates a higher blood volume which raises the blood pressure. But researchers do not fully understand what leads to hypertension, although there seem to be many factors involved.
Hypertension tends to run in families, heredity is a possibility.
People with diabetes, obesity and certain other disorders increase the risk of having hypertension. A constant surge of adrenal hormones may lead into the development of hypertension. Many other contributors include smoking, excessive alcohol use, and a rough lifestyle. Early intervention with hypertension treatments can prolong life up to thirty years. Researchers and scientist both agree that the diet plays an important role in both the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure.