World Hypertension Day 2019: Uncommon reasons you may have high blood pressure

On World Hypertension Day, which is celebrated on May 17 every year to promote awareness about hypertension, Dr Udgeath Dhir, director and head cardiac surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute shares some not to common yet important and treatable causes of hypertension.

Also Read: World Hypertension Day 2019: Know about the signs, risks and treatment for hypertension

Kidney Diseases

Several kidney diseases may cause secondary hypertension, including:

*Diabetic nephropathy: It can damage the kidneys’ filtering system, and lead to high blood pressure.
*Polycystic kidney disease: It is an inherited condition marked by multiple cysts in the kidney.
*Glomerulonephritis and Nephrotic syndrome: The condition can lead to hypertension especially in children.
*Renovascular hypertension: Renovascular hypertension often is found in patients with coronary or peripheral atherosclerosis. Muscle and fibrous tissues of the renal artery wall thicken and damage the renal vasculature (fibromuscular dysplasia), causing irreversible kidney damage.

Diabetic nephropathy can can damage the kidneys’ filtering system, and lead to high blood pressure. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Endocrine Diseases

Medical conditions affecting body hormone levels may also cause hypertension. These conditions may include:

*Cushing syndrome: It is caused by a pituitary tumor that causes the adrenal glands to produce too much of the hormone cortisol.
*Aldosteronism: In this condition, a tumor in one or both of the adrenal glands, increases hormone aldosterone. This makes the kidneys retain salt and water which raises blood pressure.
*Pheochromocytoma: Tumor of the adrenal gland which increases production of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline.
*Thyroid problems: When the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), it can result in high blood pressure. Hypothyroidism can also lead to high blood pressures.
*Hyperparathyroidism: In this condition, the levels of calcium and phosphorus are altered which may lead to hypertension.

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Coarctation of the aorta

Usually congenital, it may, however, not be detected until adulthood because it is often asymptomatic. A narrowed part of aorta causes increased blood pressure in the proximal arteries. Classic signs of coarctation of the aorta include upper extremity hypertension, delayed or decreased femoral pulses and low blood pressure in the lower extremities.

Common causes of sleep apnea include headache, fatigue, confusion, difficulty concentrating, depression, personality changes, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias. (Photo by Thinkstock Images)

Sleep apnea

Common in middle aged obese males, it is marked by severe snoring. In this condition, the breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Common symptoms include headache, fatigue, daytime somnolence, confusion, difficulty concentrating, depression, personality changes, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias.

It causes part of the nervous system to be overactive and release certain chemicals that increase blood pressure. Constant lack of sleep can also increase the amount of stress hormones, which can also raise blood pressure.

Obesity

Obesity causes an increase in total circulating volume of the body, thereby increasing the blood pressure.
Also, fat deposits can release chemicals that raise blood pressure.

Also Read: World Hypertension Day 2019: Yoga asanas to help manage high blood pressure

Sugar

High sugar levels increase the blood insulin levels, which spurs the sympathetic nervous system and results in increased blood pressure.

Pregnant woman can experience hypertension. (Photo by Getty Images)

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can make existing high blood pressure worse, or may cause high blood pressure to develop (pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia).

Medications and supplements

Medications such as pain relievers, birth control pills, antidepressants, steroids, sex hormones and some anti-cancer drugs used after organ transplants can cause high blood pressure in some people.

Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, and oxymetazoline and certain herbal supplements like ginseng, licorice and ephedra, may cause high blood pressures. Drug such as cocaine and methamphetamine, also increase blood pressure. Many studies have found that caffeine may also increase blood pressure. Caffeine causes a release of adrenaline, which raises blood pressure.