Major Triggers of Hypertension Disorder

Refined Sugar

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Some experts agree eating too many foods high in refined sugar may increase an individual's blood pressure more than sodium. In particular, processed forms of fructose, not the naturally occurring kind found in fruits, may be the culprit. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any sugars added to food or drinks that are not naturally occurring. A sixteen-ounce can of soda can sometimes contain more than nine teaspoons of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than six teaspoons of refined sugar daily for women and nine for men.

Sleep Apnea

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Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when an individual stops breathing and then starts again at night while they are sleeping. A sleep apnea patient may stop breathing as much as one hundred times in one night. If left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to high blood pressure. According to the National Sleep Foundation, when an individual's breathing is interrupted, the oxygen levels in the body fall, causing the brain to signal the nervous system to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain and heart, which tightens up blood vessels. Individuals suffering from sleep apnea must receive the appropriate treatment as soon as possible so they can breathe normally while sleeping and avoid potential complications, including chronic high blood pressure.

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