What causes high diastolic blood pressure?

In general, high diastolic blood pressure (i.e., elevated lower blood pressure) may be caused by aging, emotional stress, unhealthy lifestyle habits, hyperthyroidism, renal artery stenosis, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Aging

With increasing age, blood vessel walls gradually lose elasticity, especially due to small artery hardening, which increases resistance to blood flow and leads to elevated diastolic blood pressure. It is recommended to adjust lifestyle habits, including maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight control, and limiting alcohol and salt intake, to promote blood circulation.

2. Emotional Stress

Short-term emotional tension or chronic psychological stress can activate the sympathetic nervous system, causing increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, and greater cardiac pumping load, thereby elevating diastolic blood pressure. Adequate rest and sleep should be ensured, and relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga are recommended.

3. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

Long-term habits such as staying up late, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high-salt diets can lead to persistent sympathetic nervous system activation and increased vascular tone, potentially resulting in elevated diastolic blood pressure. It is advisable to quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, maintain a light diet, and reduce salt consumption.

4. Hyperthyroidism

Excessive thyroid hormone levels or excessive iodine intake can lead to hyperthyroidism, increasing myocardial contractility and peripheral vascular resistance, causing the aforementioned symptoms, possibly accompanied by palpitations and hand tremors. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions to take medications such as propylthiouracil tablets, propranolol hydrochloride tablets, and methimazole tablets to alleviate symptoms.

5. Renal Artery Stenosis

Renal artery stenosis is often associated with genetic factors or fibromuscular dysplasia. The condition reduces blood supply to the kidneys, triggering peripheral vasoconstriction and resulting in elevated diastolic blood pressure. Symptoms may include flank pain and hematuria. Under medical guidance, patients may use medications such as captopril tablets, valsartan capsules, and irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide tablets for treatment.

In daily life, it is important to maintain emotional stability, avoid strenuous exercise, and develop healthy lifestyle habits—such as regular作息, a light diet, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol—to reduce the risk of elevated diastolic blood pressure.