What Causes High Blood Pressure Rates

What Causes High Blood Pressure ??
The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known
In most cases of high blood pressure, the American Heart Association says there is no one identifiable cause.
This kind of high blood pressure rates is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It is usually a combination of factors, such as:

1.   Weight. 
The greater your body mass, the more pressure there is on your artery walls. That's because more blood is produced to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues in your body.

2.   Age. 
The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. Through early middle age, or about age 45, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.

3.   Activity level. 
Lack of physical activity tends to increase heart rate, which forces your heart to work harder with each contraction.

4.   Using tobacco. 
Not only does smoking or chewing tobacco immediately raise your blood pressure temporarily, but the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls. This can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure. Secondhand smoke also can increase your blood pressure.

5.   Sodium intake. 
Excessive sodium in the diet can result in fluid retention and high blood pressure, especially in people sensitive to sodium.

6.   Stress. 
High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. If you try to relax by eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol, you may only increase problems with high blood pressure.

7.   Potassium intake. 
Low potassium can result in elevated sodium in cells, because the two balance one another.

8.   Drinking too much alcohol. 
Over time, heavy drinking can damage your heart. Having more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women may affect your blood pressure.

9.   Family history. 
High blood pressure often runs in families.

10.   Too much salt (sodium) in your diet. 
Too much sodium in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.