Do you have high diastolic blood pressure? You’re not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. But what causes high diastolic blood pressure? Is it something you can control, or is it out of your hands? In this blog post, we’ll explore what causes high diastolic blood pressure and discuss some steps you can take to help manage your blood pressure levels.
What Qualifies As High Diastolic Blood Pressure?
First, let’s take a look at what diastolic pressure is and how it differs from systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are measured in two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number).
Systolic blood pressure measures the force against your artery walls when your heart contracts and pumps out blood. Diastolic blood pressure, on the other hand, measures the force against your artery walls when your heart is at rest between beats.
Normal Blood Pressure Reading
A normal systolic blood pressure reading should be 120 mmHg, while a normal diastolic blood pressure should be 80 mmHg. If your reading is above this number, you may have isolated diastolic hypertension.
There are different stages of high blood pressure, each with different treatments options:
- Stage one: systolic pressure is 130-139 or diastolic pressure is 80-89
- Stage two: systolic is 140 or higher, or diastolic is 90 or higher
- Hypertensive crisis: systolic is over 180 and/or diastolic is over 120
If your blood pressure reading falls into stage one or two, you may be able to manage your condition with lifestyle changes and medication. However, if you’re in a hypertensive crisis, you’ll need emergency medical attention.
What Causes High Diastolic Blood Pressure?
There are a number of things that can contribute to high diastolic blood pressure, including:
1. Primary hypertension
Primary hypertension is a medical term for a dangerously high blood pressure that has no apparent cause, such as rigid or hardened vessels. Primary hypertension is thought to be caused by a combination of genes and environmental variables, with frequent genetic variations having been linked to its formation.
Hypertension diastolic is often discovered in individuals under the age of forty and is not caused by any particular factor. However, it may be linked to endocrine hormone imbalances or abnormal contractions of tiny blood vessel wall muscles.
2. Obesity
Obesity is a condition in which you have an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics. Obesity is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure.
Carrying around extra weight puts strain on your heart and circulatory system, and this can lead to elevated diastolic pressure. If you’re obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your blood pressure levels.
3. Endocrine And Kidney causes
The endocrine system is made up of a number of glands that release hormones directly into the circulation. These chemicals can target distant organs and help control physiology and behavior.
The thyroid gland, like other endocrine glands, is responsible for secreting excessive levels of hormones that induce elevated diastolic blood pressure. Renal failure and various illnesses are also frequent causes of raised blood pressure.
4. Sedentary Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle that involves little to no physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and, as a result, high blood pressure.
If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you’re at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. To reduce your risk, try to get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
5. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which you have pauses in your breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. These pauses can last for several seconds to minutes and can happen up to 30 times or more an hour.
Sleep apnea is a common cause of high blood pressure. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you’re at an increased risk of developing hypertension. Treatment for sleep apnea can help reduce your blood pressure levels.
6. Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that can cause your blood vessels to relax and widen. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Other causes of high diastolic blood pressure include stress, smoking, and certain medications. If you have high diastolic blood pressure, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes or medication that can help lower your readings. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat hypertension.
7. Age And Gender
According to statistics, aging is one of the most prevalent causes of high blood pressure in both men and women. Men over the age of 45, on the other hand, are considered to have a heightened risk of developing high blood pressure-related problems. Women, on average, live approximately 55 years before beginning to experience health problems caused by high blood pressure.
Symptoms Of High Diastolic Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a relatively silent condition since it is known for not producing many, if any, significant symptoms. This is why most medical practitioners consider high blood pressure an asymptomatic illness with no symptoms.
Secondary causes of high blood pressure, on the other hand, may manifest with additional apparent symptoms in addition to increases in blood pressure. Hypothyroidism, for example, is a condition characterized by an underactive thyroid gland that results in reduced production of thyroid hormone and can be caused by weight gain, intolerance to cold or tiredness, as well as diastolic blood pressure elevations.
Primary hypertension does not have any visible symptoms in the early stages, but if left untreated, it may result in long-term health problems. This is why taking blood pressure measurements on a regular basis is so essential because it is the only method to detect the disease early on.
When your blood pressure reaches significant levels, it can prompt several symptoms such as:
- Severe headache
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Nosebleeds
- Chest pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away as they may indicate a more serious problem. High diastolic blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
Treatment Options For High Blood Pressure
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are a number of treatment options available to you.
Lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and reducing stress can help to lower your blood pressure. If these lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication.
You can also make dietary changes to help reduce your blood pressure.
Diet For High Diastolic Blood Pressure
Our diet plays a very important role in controlling our blood pressure. A diet high in salt, fat, and sugar can increase your blood pressure. To lower your blood pressure, your diet should typically look like this:
Healthy Whole Foods
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and low-fat dairy can all benefit your heart health and lower diastolic blood pressure. Reducing the intake of processed meals high in sugar and fat is also strongly recommended.
Reduce Sodium Intake
A high salt diet can cause your body to retain water, which raises blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2300 mg of sodium per day, or about one teaspoon of salt.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Reduce Caffeine Intake
Caffeine can cause a short-term increase in blood pressure. If you consume caffeine, do so in moderation.
Stop Eating Red Meat
Eating red meat has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure. If you eat red meat, consider replacing it with plant-based protein sources such as beans, lentils, tofu, or tempeh.
Natural Supplements That Can Help Stop High Diastolic Blood Pressure
There are a number of natural supplements that can help lower blood pressure. Some supplements that have been shown to be effective in studies include:
Shilajit
Shilajit is a resin that is produced by the decomposition of certain plants. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and has a wide range of health benefits. Shilajit can help lower blood pressure by improving circulation and reducing stress levels.
Maca root
Maca root is a popular nutritional supplement for a variety of health concerns. It has been proved to enhance energy levels and battle depression. Maca root can also aid in lowering blood pressure by improving circulation and reducing tension.
Sea moss
Sea moss is a type of seaweed that is often used in traditional Irish cooking. It is a good source of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are all minerals that can help lower blood pressure.
Moringa
Moringa is a tree that is native to India. It is often referred to as the “miracle tree” due to its wide range of health benefits. Moringa can help lower blood pressure by reducing inflammation and improving circulation.
These are just a few examples of natural supplements that can help lower blood pressure.
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