High blood pressure is a common lifestyle ailment. In the past, this condition was mostly associated with old age. But unhealthy lifestyle choices are to blame for the rising cases of high blood pressure even in young kids. That said, here is a rundown of other causes of high blood pressure that might surprise you.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
This chemical is found in plastics. When this chemical gets into your system, it might put you at risk of hypertension. This chemical often seeps into hot foods and drinks that are stored in plastics. It is worth noting that plastic manufacturers are trying to offer consumers with BPA-free alternatives. However, the only way to be safe from the harmful effects of using plastic products is to use non-plastic containers when cooking, heating, or storing foods.
Thyroid Imbalance
Thyroid imbalance, especially when an overactive thyroid causes it, makes the heart beat faster. As a result, this means that the blood pressure will be elevated. It has also been established that an underactive thyroid gland can also put you at risk of hypertension. When the pulse rate is very slow, the arteries tend to be less stretchy, thus making the blood to flow too quickly. Any form of thyroid imbalance can adversely affect your blood pressure levels.
Dehydration
When you do not take enough amounts of water, you risk suffering from dehydration. Ideally, lack of water inside the body makes the pituitary gland release chemicals that make the blood vessels constrict. This shrinkage, in turn, leads to elevated blood pressure levels to increase.
Use of Contraceptives
Contraceptives are primarily used to prevent pregnancy. The use of these products, however, has been linked to hypertension. Short-term use of contraceptives has an immediate of increasing the levels of blood pressure. Long term use of birth control pills, increases the risk of suffering from hypertension greatly. Notably, this might lead to severe problems for smoking and obese women who are aged more than 35 years.
Loneliness
Feeling lonely can make you feel depressed. This is not just about having several friends close to you; it is about having discrepancies between the nature of social relationships that you have and what you desire. Individuals with poor social support are at risk of developing high blood pressure, studies show.