If temporary spikes in blood pressure begin to occur more often, this indicates an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.
A sudden jump in blood pressure can occur even in a healthy person – as an episodic phenomenon, it is not dangerous. But recurring blood pressure fluctuations are an alarming sign of serious heart problems in the long term, therapist Tamara Ilyinskaya noted in an interview with MedikForum.
“People with high blood pressure should be careful – in their case, it is important to keep the pressure under constant control, avoiding its sharp jumps. Statistics say that every third adult in most countries of the world is prone to hypertension, and about 20 percent of hypertensive patients do not know about their condition, since it is asymptomatic, ”the doctor shared.
According to Ilyinskaya, pressure can temporarily“ jump ” under the influence of various factors. The therapist named the most common.
Stress.In a state of stress, the body actively produces the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body to respond to a stressful event by causing a rapid heart rate and constriction of the blood vessels. When stress passes, blood pressure returns to normal – but the sudden surge that was provoked by it is quite capable of causing irreversible damage to blood vessels, the development of a heart attack or stroke.
High sodium content.Excess salt makes blood vessels stiff and constricts them. Whenever you eat food with a lot of salt, blood pressure immediately rises, the doctor emphasizes. It can especially “jump” when processed packaged foods or fast food are consumed – they are overloaded with salt and preservatives.
Adrenal dysfunction.The adrenal glands produce hormones that regulate metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, stress response, and other important functions. In the case of violations, they begin to produce too little or too much hormones, which leads to hormonal imbalance and, with it, to fluctuations in blood pressure.
When the adrenal glands are upset, the kidneys retain salt and water, while the body loses too much potassium – all this raises blood pressure, the therapist explained
Why blood pressure rises when visiting a doctor
Unhealthy drinking habits. Drinking large amounts of alcohol (and caffeine) can also almost instantly raise blood pressure. Repetitive drinking sets off processes that can eventually cause acute cardiovascular disease or a stroke.
Five innocent reasons that can cause your blood pressure to jump
Important! The information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.