High blood pressure is one of the most common health concerns in Texas, affecting adults and children. We all know that too much sodium consumption can make hypertension harder to control, but that is not the only contributing factor.
Here in Houston and Sugar Land, many adults continue to struggle with blood pressure even while watching their sodium intake. This shows that other underlying factors often play a major role in keeping blood pressure high.
So, in this article, we will tell you some of the less obvious causes of high blood pressure and practical ways to manage it.
What Is Considered High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when the force of blood against your arteries stays too high over time. It usually has no symptoms. You could have it for years without experiencing anything. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that 46% of adults with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it.
In the U.S., including Texas, doctors usually consider blood pressure when your:
- Systolic (top number) is 130 mmHg or higher
- Diastolic (bottom number) is 80 mmHg or higher
If your blood pressure stays above these numbers consistently, it can raise your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and other health issues.
Causes of Blood Pressure Beyond Sodium
Even if you reduce sodium, your blood pressure may remain high. There are many other hidden factors that can actually drive your high blood pressure, sometimes without obvious warning signs, such as:
1. Your Gut Health and Microbiome
Our gut consists of trillions of bacteria, called the microbiome. Latest research shows that gut microbiome plays a critical role in regulating your blood pressure.
When bacteria are out of balance, it leads to a condition called dysbiosis, which can cause inflammation and disrupt the compounds that help regulate your blood pressure.
You can actively nurture your gut and reduce your high blood pressure by eating Fermented foods, fiber-rich vegetables, whole foods, and prebiotics.
Keep in mind that some fermented foods, like kimchi, can be high in sodium, which can affect your blood pressure. It is best to introduce them gradually to allow your digestive system to adjust.
2. Sleeping Disorders like Sleep Apnea
Sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can quietly drive up your blood pressure, particularly at night. Studies show that people with OSA often have higher nighttime blood pressure than those without it.
Another large study involving over 66,000 adults found that adults who sleep less than six hours a night have a 10% higher risk of developing hypertension. This shows that blood pressure is not always caused by sodium. It can be caused by hidden factors like sleep apnea.
That is why, at Kairos Care in Houston and Sugar Land, we dig into these root causes so you can manage your blood pressure more effectively.
3. Obesity & Excess Weight
If you carry extra weight, it puts added strain on your heart and arteries, making your cardiovascular system work harder and raising your blood pressure.
Too much body fat can also trigger your nervous system to tighten blood vessels, pushing your blood pressure even higher. Research also confirmed that around 78% of primary hypertension in men and 65% in women is caused by obesity.
4. Stress and Blood Pressure
Stress highly affects your blood pressure more than you think. Constant stress raises your cortisol and adrenaline hormones, which can push your blood pressure up over time.
Simple practices like meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness can help calm your body and lower stress-related blood pressure.
One helpful technique is the Relaxation Response. In this technique, sit quietly and repeat a word or phrase to trigger deep relaxation. This can greatly help in lowering your blood pressure.
5. Hidden Disorders
Hidden disorders can quietly push your blood pressure higher. Thyroid problems, heart problems, adrenal issues like Cushing’s syndrome, and hormone changes during menopause all affect your blood pressure.
So, it is important to get properly checked to uncover these hidden causes.
6. Certain Medications
Medications can quietly raise your blood pressure. Some over-the-counter drugs, like decongestants and painkillers (ibuprofen, naproxen), make your blood vessels tighter.
Prescription medications, including certain antidepressants, hormonal therapies, and some diabetes medicines, can also have subtle effects on your blood pressure.
Because of this, it’s important to talk to your provider if your blood pressure is rising. Adjusting the type or dose of your medications can make a big difference in your numbers.
At Kairos Health in Houston and Sugar Land, our providers review your medications and overall health to find ways to safely manage your blood pressure.
How to Reduce High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can be managed with medications as well as changes to your daily habits. Medicines like lisinopril, diuretics,, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and other antihypertensive can help lower your blood pressure.
Your healthcare provider will suggest you right supplement based on your blood pressure and any other health conditions. These supplements work best when combined with a healthy habits, such as:
- Eat more fiber: Load up on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Fiber supports a healthy gut and can help keep blood pressure in check.
- Get enough potassium: Aim for 3,500–5,000 mg per day from foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach, and beans.
- Avoid processed and salty foods: limit packaged and heavily salted foods helps, even though sodium isn’t the only factor.
- Include magnesium: Magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains help relax blood vessels. Supplements can be considered under medical guidance.
- Maintain a healthy weight, Your provider can give you your ideal weight range.
- Stay active: Aim for about 30 minutes of exercise most days. Walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga all help. Start slow and build up to 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week.
- Manage your stress: Meditation, deep breathing, journaling, or mindfulness can lower stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
- Prioritizing sleep: Shoot for 7–9 hours per night.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Include fermented foods, fiber, and prebiotics to help your microbiome thrive.
Conclusion
High blood pressure often shows no symptoms until it begins to harm your heart or other organs. It’s influenced by more than just sodium. Understanding the causes of high blood pressure issues is key. Sleep quality, body weight, chronic inflammation, kidney and hormonal health, genetics, medications, and overall nutrition all play a role in keeping your blood pressure in check.
At Kairos Integrative care, Lola, one of our board-certified practitioners focus on uncovering the root causes of hypertension through a holistic functional medicine approach.
We see patients in Houston, Sugar Land, Richmond, and nearby areas (77046 & 77478), and accept major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
New patients are always welcome, and if coming to the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across Texas.
