What are some causes of sudden high blood pressure?

Sudden high blood pressure can occur for a range of reasons. These can include high levels of stress, using certain medications, or underlying medical conditions.
It is natural for a person’s blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day and increase slightly at certain points, such as during exercise. However, a sudden and significant rise in blood pressure may cause serious symptoms or require medical attention.
This article discusses the causes of sudden high blood pressure, including information on who may be more at risk of developing it and when to get help. It also answers some frequently asked questions on the topic.
What causes sudden high blood pressure?
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Taking a person’s blood pressure includes two separate measurements: systolic and diastolic pressure. Another term for high blood pressure is hypertension.
diastolic pressure
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a person has stage 1 hypertension when the systolic reading is between 130 and 139 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and the diastolic reading is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
American Heart Association (AHA)
hypertension
If the readings show a systolic pressure of 180 mm Hg or higher, a diastolic pressure of 120 mm Hg or higher, or both, this indicates a more severe rise in blood pressure. This is also known as a hypertensive crisis.
systolic pressure
hypertensive crisis
There are several reasons that a person may experience sudden high blood pressure, including:
caffeine or other stimulants
caffeine
certain medications
missed doses of certain medications
certain illegal drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamines
cocaine
stress or anxiety
stress
anxiety
pain
smoking
smoking
illness or infection
intense physical activity
organ damage or organ failure
failure
Hypertensive emergency refers to a significant rise in blood pressure and has associations with organ dysfunction.
Two of the most common causes of hypertensive emergency include missing doses of blood pressure medication and consuming sympathomimetic substances, such as medications, caffeine, and other stimulants. Sympathomimetic substances stimulate the body’s fight-or-flight response.
most common causes
hypertensive emergency
blood pressure medication
Getting medical help for sudden high blood pressure
In some cases, a sudden rise in blood pressure can be a serious medical emergency, especially if it is very high. This may indicate a hypertensive urgency or emergency, a state that could potentially lead to organ damage.
may
Signs of a severe blood pressure rise include:
chest pain
chest pain
headache
headache
dizziness
dizziness
shortness of breath
shortness of breath
vomiting
vomiting
changes in vision
vision
confusion or altered mental state
confusion
mental
decreased urine output
numbness or weakness
numbness
If a person thinks they may be experiencing hypertensive urgency or emergency, they need to seek medical help immediately.
If someone believes they may be experiencing a sudden rise in blood pressure but do not feel unwell, they need to consult a healthcare professional to assess the cause.
Who is likely to develop sudden high blood pressure?
Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of experiencing sudden high blood pressure. These can include:
being a smoker
working in a high-stress job
having an anxiety or panic disorder
panic disorder
having chronic kidney disease
chronic kidney disease
having obesity
having an alcohol or substance use disorder
alcohol or substance use
being pregnant
being pregnant
having a sleep disorder
sleep disorder
How to reduce sudden high blood pressure
If a person is feeling unwell due to sudden high blood pressure, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional.
However, certain methods may help reduce a sudden blood pressure spike, such as:
taking slow, deep breaths
using relaxation techniques
drinking water
drinking water
taking part in mild exercise such as gentle walking or stretching
mild exercise
walking
taking a cold shower
taking a cold shower
being in the sun
being in the sun
Read more about ways to lower blood pressure naturally.
ways to lower blood pressure
naturally
These methods may only temporarily help. A more effective solution to reducing sudden high blood pressure is to determine and deal with the underlying cause, especially if it is a persistent issue.
Complications of sudden high blood pressure
Sudden high blood pressure can sometimes lead to severe symptoms or complications, such as:
heart attack
heart attack
heart failure
kidney damage or failure
vision loss
bleeding in the brain
stroke
acute encephalopathy, a condition involving changes to a person’s mental status
acute encephalopathy
Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why blood pressure suddenly increases. More common reasons include:
missing a dose of blood pressure medication
experiencing a high-stress situation
consuming stimulants such as caffeine
It may be possible to treat sudden high blood pressure at home by taking slow and deep breaths, using relaxation techniques, or drinking water. However, these are not long-term solutions for high blood pressure.
Some people can monitor their blood pressure using at-home devices. If someone experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, or confusion, they need to seek immediate medical care.
Sometimes, blood pressure can suddenly rise for reasons that may not be obvious, such as stress, caffeine, illness, or infection. In some cases, a sudden increase in blood pressure could indicate an underlying problem.
If high blood pressure is a persistent problem, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional.
Summary
There are many reasons a person may experience sudden high blood pressure. Some of these are less serious, such as consuming caffeine or taking certain medications. However, some cases of sudden high blood pressure may be due to a serious underlying condition or another medical emergency.
It is essential for people to have regular blood pressure checks, especially if they have a condition or other risk factors for spikes in their blood pressure. Persistent hypertension can lead to severe and long-term complications.