Although high blood pressure is often assumed to be a natural consequence of aging, the fact that so many Americans in their 20s, 30s, and 40s suffer from high blood pressure clearly indicates it is not an age-dependent disease. In actuality, high blood pressure is the result of poor overall health and lifestyle choices. Conventional medicine primarily focuses on treating the symptoms of high blood pressure rather than addressing its underlying causes. It does this mainly through the use of blood pressure medications, all of which can cause dangerous side effects.

Note: Factors such as stress, physical exertion, and powerful emotions such as fear and anger can skew blood pressure readings. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not have your blood pressure measured during such times, but wait until you are calm and rested to ensure an accurate reading.

Caution: If you suffer from secondary high blood pressure, seek immediate medical attention.

Atherosclerosis: Not only is atherosclerosis a major cause of high blood pressure, it is also one of the primary causes of both heart attack and stroke. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is caused by the buildup of plaque in your body`s blood vessels, especially the arteries. In atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque thickens the blood and hardens the arteries, making them narrow and less elastic. Combined, the symptoms of atherosclerosis create resistance to the body`s blood flow, raising blood pressure levels.

Poor Diet: While high blood pressure is quite common in western, industrialized nations, researchers have found that it hardly exists at all among native peoples in Africa, China, South America, and Micronesia. The reason for this has to do with their diets, which are much healthier than today`s standard western diet. This point is brought home even further by what happens when people from these native lands relocate to more industrialized areas and begin eating accordingly. Soon after they adopt a more western-based diet, they too begin to show signs of high blood pressure, as well as many other chronic diseases.

The primary dietary factors that can cause high blood pressure are excessive consumption of saturated animal fats and refined salt (sodium chloride), coupled with a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, rich in magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients that are essential for healthy blood pressure levels. This is especially true of people who rely on fast foods or who regularly dine out rather than eat at home, as such meals are typically high in both salt and unhealthy fats. It is rare that prepared foods are made with unrefined sea or mountain salt and healthy oils and fats, such as coconut butter, extra virgin olive oil or organic butter.

Environmental Toxins: Environmental toxins such as cadmium, mercury, and lead can all elevate blood pressure levels. Typically, the levels of environmental toxins in people with high blood pressure are 300 to 400 percent higher than those with normal blood pressure levels. Other common environmental toxins or pollutants have the potential to raise blood pressure levels, as well. Sources of such toxins include tap water, toxins circulating through the air we breathe, and, in the case of mercury, dental amalgam fillings, various vaccines and sadly, fish and seafood. Chemical residues and toxins remain in produce that is conventionally grown and in the flesh of animals that have been raised with chemically treated feed.

Lifestyle Factors: Common lifestyle factors that can cause high blood pressure include excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine, smoking (including regular exposure to secondhand smoke), and a sedentary lifestyle. Research has shown that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels rise in direct proportion to the amount of caffeine a person consumes throughout the day. As for alcohol, even moderate consumption of beer or wine can raise blood pressure levels in some people.

Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke causes high blood pressure because of how smoking damages cells and narrows arteries. In addition, cigarettes contain an abundance of life-threatening chemicals that further increase overall health risks. Even smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and snuff can raise blood pressure levels because of the nicotine and sodium they contain.

Being sedentary can also contribute to high blood pressure because a lack of exercise results in poor oxygenation of the body`s cells and tissues, and can create a negative impact on the heart muscle, causing it to have to work harder to do its job.

Pharmaceutical Drugs: The following medications can cause high blood pressure as a side effect of their use: Alfenta Injection, Aredia for Injection, Dobutrex Solution Vials, Epogen for Injection, Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System, Lupron Depot, Methergine Injection and Tablets, Orthoclone OKT3 Sterile Solution, Polygam Immune Globulin Intravenous Human, Procrit for Injection, Sandimmune, Sandimmune Soft Gelatin Capsules, Tolectin, Velban Vials, Ventolin Inhalation Aerosol and Refill, and Wellbutrin.

Other Causes: In addition to the above factors, high blood pressure can also be caused by diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and chronic stress.