Whenever you visit a doctor, one of the first things the doctor checks is your blood pressure. Your blood pressure reveals about your health. Sometimes, blood pressure can be low or high. Low or high blood pressure can cause some health issues or indicate that there is something wrong with your health. So, if your blood pressure is not normal, don’t ignore it. It is also important to monitor your blood pressure regularly using a digital blood pressure monitor.
Your blood pressure tells about the force with which your blood passes through your circulatory system. However, pressure does not remain the same during the day. It naturally changes. These changes are predictable and normal. These minor changes in your blood pressure do not cause any unusual symptoms or signs. However, when the blood pressure readings are pretty low or high then this should not be ignored. You must speak to your doctor. You should also record these changes in a log. Write about your activities, numbers and time your blood pressure readings take to return to normal. Your doctor needs this information to detect a problem or pattern.
Causes of blood pressure fluctuation
Your blood pressure rises or falls due to the following reasons:
Stress
You may see temporary changes in your blood pressure readings due to anxiety or emotional stress. However, excess stress is not good for your cardiovascular health. This can cause permanent blood pressure problems.
White-coat syndrome
Sometimes, a doctor’s appointment may cause you to worry or stress. This can temporarily increase your blood pressure. This syndrome is called white coat syndrome. You may not have hypertension. If you check your blood pressure at home using a digital blood pressure monitor, readings will be normal. However, white coat syndrome is one of the risk factors. You may develop high blood pressure.
Medication
Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can change your blood pressure. Diuretics and blood pressure pills are used to lower blood pressure. You may experience a spike in your blood pressure due to allergy and cold medications.
Activity
Blood pressure fluctuations also occur due to exercise, sex, laughter and even talking.
Food and drink
Diet can also increase or decrease your blood pressure readings. Foods with a high tyramine content can increase your blood pressure. Tyramine content is often high in aged foods. The following foods can impact your blood pressure:
- Cured food
- Brined food
- Pickled food
- Fermented food
Coffee intake can also cause a spike in blood pressure.
Adrenal issues
Hormones are regulatory substances that regulate your physiology and behavior. The human body has an adrenal system that produces hormones. When the production of hormones is low, this causes adrenal fatigue. This may decrease your blood pressure. High blood pressure and hypertension occur when the adrenal system is overactive.
Pheochromocytoma
It is a rare tumor developed in adrenal glands. The tumor makes the adrenal glands release too much norepinephrine and epinephrine. These hormones control your blood pressure, metabolism and heart rate. Pheochromocytoma can cause high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, headache and sweating.
Risk Factors
The risk of blood pressure fluctuations can be high due to the following risk factors:
- Anxiety
- High levels of stress
- Taking ineffective blood pressure pills
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Tobacco use
Some conditions may also cause abnormal blood pressure fluctuations. These conditions include;
- Dehydration
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Nervous system problems
- Thyroid problems
If you have blood pressure problems, you should also keep a digital blood pressure monitor.