What causes high blood pressure in young people?
May 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
High blood pressure in young people may be caused by long-term smoking, overweight, essential hypertension, hyperthyroidism, primary aldosteronism, and other factors. In daily life, it is important to quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, control diet, and increase physical activity. Medication may be necessary under a doctor's guidance when needed. Prevention and control of high blood pressure rely primarily on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Generally, high blood pressure in young people may be caused by long-term smoking, overweight, essential hypertension, hyperthyroidism, primary aldosteronism, and other factors. General lifestyle management and medication treatment should be conducted under the guidance of a physician. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Long-term smoking
Long-term smoking can damage vascular endothelial cells, leading to thickening and hardening of blood vessel walls, reduced vascular elasticity, increased blood flow resistance, and consequently elevated blood pressure in young people. In addition to high blood pressure, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and palpitations may also occur. Smoking cessation is essential, along with maintaining healthy lifestyle habits such as balanced diet and moderate physical activity.
2. Overweight
Failure to control diet, frequent overeating, preference for sweets, greasy, and fried foods, combined with lack of physical activity, can lead to excessive fat accumulation and rapid weight gain. Being overweight increases the workload on the heart, requiring more energy to pump blood, thus causing elevated blood pressure in young people. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain may also develop. Management involves dietary control, reducing intake of high-calorie foods, increasing physical exercise, and losing weight.
3. Essential hypertension
Essential hypertension is a cardiovascular condition resulting from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Besides heredity, poor dietary habits can also contribute. These factors increase vascular resistance, forcing the heart to work harder to circulate blood, thereby raising blood pressure in young people. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, palpitations, and insomnia. Follow medical advice to use medications such as nifedipine tablets, enalapril maleate tablets, or irbesartan tablets for treatment.
4. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones, leading to increased systemic metabolism and sympathetic nervous system activation, which in turn causes elevated blood pressure in young people. Symptoms may include palpitations, excessive sweating, weight loss, and irritability. It is recommended to take medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or propranolol hydrochloride tablets under the supervision of a qualified physician.
5. Primary aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism results from excessive secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex, leading to increased sodium levels and decreased potassium levels in the body, thereby causing elevated blood pressure in young people. Other symptoms may include hypokalemia, muscle weakness, and polyuria. Treatment should follow medical recommendations and may include medications such as spironolactone tablets, compound amiloride hydrochloride tablets, or enalapril maleate tablets.
To prevent and manage high blood pressure, young individuals should avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, maintain a healthy diet, avoid overeating and excessive intake of high-calorie foods, and engage in regular physical exercise to maintain a healthy body weight.
