Causes of Sudden Increase in Blood Pressure

Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day dependent on many factors. A sudden increase can mean nothing or may be a sign of something serious.

Activity

• Doing exercises or physical labor can cause a dramatic temporary increase in blood pressure. People who are out of shape can especially see a noticeable increase. Resting for several minutes should correct the problem.

Emotional Distress

• Tense situations such as doctor's office visits can cause an increase in blood pressure. The heart beats faster during times of high emotion such as fear, exhilaration and stress. This temporary increase should drop once the trigger has subsided.

Drugs

• Certain prescription and non-prescription drugs and narcotics can cause a sudden and sustained increase in blood pressure. If you notice a sudden increase in blood pressure after taking non-prescription medication, stop taking it and seek medical attention if your pressure does not return to normal.

Health Issues

• Hormonal imbalances and kidney disease can also bring about sudden and sustained hypertension. Patients on dialysis are particularly susceptible to sudden elevations and drops in blood pressure. This may be alleviated by taking medication to fix the imbalance or repair the kidney problems.

Pregnancy

• When a woman is pregnant, the amount of blood in her body increases and can cause increased blood pressure. Preeclampsia occurs when the body cannot regulate the pressure and it continues to get higher and higher as the pregnancy develops. There is little to be done for preeclampsia. Medications can slow the increase, but nothing can stop it except the birth of the child.