What Are the Causes of Acute Hypertension?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one fifth of the U.S. population suffers from acute hypertension. It's listed as a major risk factor for congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and heart disease. This condition can be caused by diet, lifestyle habits, genetic background or stress.

• A dietary cause of hypertension

Identification

• Hypertension--also known as high blood pressure--is diagnosed when a person's blood pressure reading is higher than 140/90 on a consistent basis. The 140/90 reading indicates the systolic and diastolic pressures. The systolic number represents how much pressure the heart is under when it's at work. The diastolic number indicates the amount of pressure present when the heart is at rest. Acute hypertension can be categorized as primary or secondary. The primary category is assigned in cases where a specific cause for the condition is unknown. Secondary hypertension is caused by another existing condition like kidney disease, or tumors.

Function

• The force required to push blood through the arteries is what creates blood pressure. With each heartbeat, the heart works to circulate blood throughout the body. This pressure is felt by the heart as well as the arterial walls that the blood flows through. Acute hypertension is caused when the blood vessels become narrowed forcing the heart to work harder at pushing the blood through. This extra effort exerted by the heart also contributes to an increase in pressure.

Diet

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list dietary intake as a leading cause for acute hypertension. Diets high in saturated fats and salt contribute to the symptoms of this condition. Low potassium, fiber and calcium intakes are also contributing factors. Hypertension is common in individuals who are overweight or obese because of the extra work the heart has to do to pump blood through the body. In some people, increases in blood pressure are directly related to salt intake. "Salt sensitive" is the term given when blood pressure increases occur when a person's salt level exceeds the body's requirements.

Lifestyle

• Lifestyle habits also have a significant impact on a person's blood pressure. Individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles may be at risk of acute hypertension, especially those who practice poor dietary habits. Substances that stimulate the adrenalin gland--like caffeine, alcohol or nicotine--can also cause elevated blood pressure readings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list alcohol as the second leading cause of hypertension, with salt being the first. High blood pressure can also develop in people who experience prolonged periods of stress.

Risk Factors

• As acute hypertension is a condition that develops over time, certain factors that contribute to its development can be identified before a full blown condition is present. A normal blood pressure reading measures in at 115/75 on a regular basis. Pre-hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure reads at 120/80 on a consistent basis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain people are more prone to develop this condition than others. Those who may have a genetic predisposition include males, individuals with a family history of hypertension and individuals of black descent. Certain diseases like diabetes mellitus and end-renal kidney failure may also predispose a person to acute hypertension.