What Causes High Blood Pressure in Young Women?

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure has become quite common in today’s world. An individual is said to have hypertension or High Blood Pressure if his or her blood pressure is consistently above 120/90 mmHg. High Blood Pressure is also called as a silent killer as over a period of time consistently elevated blood pressure may lead to various cardiovascular problems. The most alarming fact shown on studies conducted is that approximately 65 million individuals are diagnosed with high blood pressure every year of which half of them are young women. This article focuses on some of the major causes of High Blood Pressure in Young Women.

Below mentioned are some of the causes of High Blood Pressure in Young Women:

Pregnancy: Pregnant women are at a higher risk for developing High Blood Pressure. This condition is called as Gestational Hypertension. The severity of this type of hypertension can range from mild to severe and generally after the delivery of the child the blood pressure comes back to normal range. Severe cases of hypertension during pregnancy can complicate the matter and may result in a condition called preeclampsia which may be life threatening to not only the mother but also the baby.

Drugs & Medications: Consumption of certain drugs both recreational and medicine related is known to cause high blood pressure in young women. Young Women addicted to recreational drugs among other health hazards tend to end up having high blood pressure. Young women who take birth control pills are also at risk for having high blood pressure. Birth control pills contain progesterone which alters the chemical balance of the body causing high blood pressure in young women. Also medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can cause fluid retention in the body and further decreases the function of the kidneys and ultimately causes high blood pressure in young women.

Poor Dietary Habits: Females who binge on fatty and junk food and foods rich in salt and fats are prone to have high blood pressure in young women. Junk and fatty food like pizza or burgers in excessive amounts can lead to the female not only being at risk for becoming overweight but also such foods harden the arteries or encourage build up of fats and plaques in the arteries which may lead to hypertension or high blood pressure in young women.

Obesity: Obesity is a menace that is growing bigger and bigger by the day. Not only young males but young females are falling prey to this menace. Obesity is caused due to unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits which over time increases the weight by exponential amounts which has its own inherent complications of which hypertension or high blood pressure is one. Obesity causes build up of fat and plaques in the arteries which over a period of time results in hypertension and high blood pressure in young women among other cardiovascular problems. Also, if a plaque ruptures it results in the formation of a clot and if that clot reaches the brain then it results in what we call as a stroke. Obesity is one of the leading causes of stroke according to studies and a major cause for high blood pressure in young women.

Sleep Deprivation: Lack of proper sleep is a common problem faced by many young individuals these days. This may be due to exam pressure, or meeting deadlines at work but little do they know that lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can cause high blood pressure in young women. Lack of sleep results in the body not getting fully rested and also leads to increased anxiety which in turn can cause hypertension or high blood pressure in young women.

Heredity: Genetics also play a role in development of hypertension or high blood pressure in young women. Studies have shown that women with a direct relative or a family member with high blood pressure is more prone to have this condition than other women who do not have a relative with such a condition. Research has shown many gene mutations directly related to hypertension and when this combines with an unhealthy lifestyle this doubles the risk for the individual to develop high blood pressure early in life.

Alcohol Abuse: This is one of the major contributors of hypertension or high blood pressure in young women. Drinking alcohol in moderation may not significantly pose any health hazards but if this increases exponentially and reaches to a level where it can be called as binge drinking and almost on an everyday basis then this seriously puts at risk the health of an individual which may not only include liver or kidney problems but also hypertension or high blood pressure in young women.

Excessive Caffeine Intake: Of late intake of caffeine has significantly increased in young women. This significant increase in caffeine has been known to cause high blood pressure in young women.

In summary, it is important to realize how important it is to control blood pressure in young women. Apart from pregnancy all the other causes of high blood pressure in young women can be prevented if you follow a healthy lifestyle and not indulge yourself in any smoking or drinking habits, and managing your stress effective.

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