Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. It naturally changes during the day depending on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling.
However, if your blood pressure goes up and down a lot, it might be a sign of something more serious. This article explains some common reasons why blood pressure may keep changing and what it could mean for your health.
One major reason is your daily activity. When you exercise, walk, or even climb stairs, your blood pressure can go up for a short time. On the other hand, when you rest or sleep, it usually goes down. Your body also follows a natural pattern during the day. Blood pressure tends to be higher in the morning and gets lower at night.
How you feel emotionally can also affect your blood pressure. If you’re stressed, worried, or anxious, your body releases hormones that can make your heart beat faster and tighten your blood vessels. This makes your blood pressure rise. The same can happen if you feel excited or nervous. Once the feelings pass, your blood pressure usually goes back to normal.
Sometimes, blood pressure seems to change just because of the way it is measured. If the cuff size is wrong or if you’re not sitting the right way, the reading may not be accurate.
For example, crossing your legs or talking while your blood pressure is being measured can make it seem higher than it really is. That’s why it’s important to measure your blood pressure the same way each time.
Medicines can also cause changes in blood pressure. Some drugs lower it, like those used to treat high blood pressure. Others, such as pain relievers or some antidepressants, can make it go up. When you take your medicine also matters—your blood pressure might change as the effects of the drug wear off before your next dose.
Certain health problems can lead to fluctuating blood pressure too. Some people have what’s called “white coat hypertension,” where their blood pressure goes up at the doctor’s office because they’re nervous. Others may have “masked hypertension,” where their blood pressure seems fine at the clinic but is high at home.
More serious issues like pheochromocytoma—a rare tumor in the adrenal glands that releases blood pressure-raising hormones—or problems with the nervous system that controls blood pressure can also be the cause.
To keep track of blood pressure changes, it helps to monitor it regularly and record the results. This way, you and your doctor can look for patterns or triggers. Living a healthy life—eating well, staying active, and reducing stress—can also help keep your blood pressure steady.
If you notice large changes in your blood pressure often, you should speak with a healthcare provider. They can check for any hidden health problems and help you manage your blood pressure in the best way.
In short, many things can affect your blood pressure, from what you do during the day and how you feel, to the medicines you take and health conditions you might have. Knowing these causes can help you better understand and manage your blood pressure, which is important for your heart and overall health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about what to eat and to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the connection between potato and high blood pressure, and how to eat your way to healthy blood pressure.
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