Blood pressure, which is the force that our blood exerts by pushing against the artery walls, is a very vital sign and it can actually fluctuate throughout the day. For an individual to be able to understand why their blood pressure might be inconsistent and actually fluctuate throughout the day, can help achieve a better strategy to manage it more effectively. In this blog we are going to explore the 10 common reasons why blood pressure keeps fluctuating and we will also discuss how regular home monitoring with an Omron 10 series blood pressure monitor can actually help you manage blood pressure and achieve better overall well-being.
- Lifestyle And Diet
It is known that your blood pressure can be impacted by your lifestyle habits as well as dietary preferences. If you consume excessive amounts of sodium as well as saturated fats, your blood pressure can elevate significantly. Likewise, if you follow a sedentary lifestyle and are a smoker, then too your blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day.
- Stress And Anxiety
Whenever a person is feeling stressed or anxious, their body releases cortisol. This is a hormone that can cause your blood pressure to rise temporarily. Chronic stress experienced over longer durations can also contribute to high blood pressure and eventually result in hypertension. As one can feel stressed or anxious many times throughout the day depending on the circumstances, the blood pressure too can vary accordingly and fluctuate.
- Certain Medications
For individuals that are required to take certain medications that have an impact on blood pressure as a side effect, their BP can vary accordingly. There are certain medicines that elevate blood pressure while there are others that decrease the same. Medications like decongestants, over the counter pain relievers or even birth control pills are usually known to raise your blood pressure levels. Mostly, medication related blood pressure rise is a temporary side effect and can subside after some time thus causing fluctuations in blood pressure readings.
- Sleep Apnea
If you suffer from the condition where you temporarily stop breathing during sleep, it’s known as sleep apnea. Individuals suffering from this condition face elevated blood pressure and higher stress as a result of disrupted sleep. Fatigue is also common in such people as they fail to get proper rest.
- Physical Activity or Exercise
While regular exercise or physical activity is generally recommended to maintain optimal health, intense workouts can cause your blood pressure to rise temporarily. There is no need to worry however as when the level of physical activity decreases, the blood pressure levels subside gradually and accordingly.
- Age
As we grow older, our blood vessels become a bit rigid and less flexible. As this prevents dilation of the vessels, it could result in high blood pressure.
- Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormonal changes can influence blood pressure and these fluctuations can cause your blood pressure to vary. Women during pregnancy face low blood pressure levels but this gradually rises as pregnancy progresses. There are a lot of other hormonal fluctuations that tend to cause changes in blood pressure. Although these are temporary and do not need any extra medication, it is over recommended that you visit your healthcare provider to gain valuable information about managing your blood pressure when you are going through hormonal changes.
- Changes In Temperature
Although it may surprise you, but extreme temperatures, whether when it’s too hot or too cold, can also affect your blood pressure. As our blood vessels tend to contract in cold temperature, this usually results in high blood pressure. Heat causes our blood vessels to dilate and this can lower the blood pressure.
- Intake Of Caffeine and Alcohol
If you consume excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol, there might be a temporary rise in your blood pressure.
- Medical Conditions
There are certain medical conditions that contribute to blood pressure fluctuations and thus your readings might not be consistent. Certain medical conditions that contribute to blood pressure fluctuations include kidney disease, adrenal gland problems or even thyroid disorders.
Why Should You Regularly Monitor Blood Pressure at Home?
Frequent observation and monitoring of blood pressure at home with Omron 10 series BP monitor not only offers valuable insights of your blood pressure fluctuations but by tracking the readings over time, you can identify various patterns and thus manage the condition better. These readings also offer you an opportunity to work with your healthcare provider who can devise a personalized management plan which is best suited for you. This helps in:
- An early detection of high blood pressure or hypertension
- Better control over blood pressure or managing hypertension
- Being more aware of factors that influence high blood pressure
- An opportunity to make informed lifestyle choices and improve overall well-being
- Ample information and data to share with your doctor for better care delivery
- Reduced healthcare costs by preventing serious complications
By understanding the various factors that cause fluctuations in blood pressure and also by regularly monitoring the same with Omron 10 series upper arm blood pressure unit available at All Care Store, you can take proactive strategies to manage your blood pressure and enhance your overall health.
