10 Possible Explanations for Blood Pressure Spikes and Drops

Blood pressure can fluctuate daily. These 10 reasons are a possible cause of these fluctuations.

White coat syndrome is a phenomenon that can occur when a healthcare professional takes your blood pressure. This is a temporary increase in blood pressure triggered by your body’s fight-or-flight response, which can increase your heart rate and constrict blood vessels. These changes cause blood pressure to increase by more than 10 points.

Daily stress and anxiety can also trigger a similar response in your body. Once the stress has passed, your blood pressure usually returns to its baseline value.

Caffeine can cause a short-term increase in blood pressure. It does this by stimulating your adrenal glands (near your kidneys) to release adrenaline, which causes your blood vessels to contract. This narrowing of blood vessels increases resistance to blood flow and leads to an increase in blood pressure.

Smoking raises your blood pressure almost immediately after you inhale. The nicotine in cigarettes increases the heart rate and narrows blood vessels.

Physical activity can cause your blood pressure to increase for a short time while you exercise, but it usually returns to your baseline afterward. Stopping exercise without properly calming down can also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.

What you eat can raise or lower your blood pressure. Diets high in salt can cause you to retain more fluid, putting extra pressure on your blood vessels. Alcohol can also increase your blood pressure over time.

A diet that includes more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Some medications and herbal supplements can temporarily change your blood pressure by narrowing your blood vessels or causing your body to retain excess fluid. Examples include:

• Antidepressants
• Contraceptive pills
• Nasal decongestants
• Migraine medications
• Steroids
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Herbal products like black licorice

Sleep apnea causes pauses in your breathing during sleep, which triggers an increase in stress hormones and constricts your blood vessels. This can cause blood pressure to increase at night and stay higher during the day.

Poor sleep quality due to frequent awakenings or low oxygen levels can also keep the nervous system in a state of alert, leading to continuous fluctuations in blood pressure.

Your kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. They also help regulate your blood pressure by controlling the amount of water and salt your body retains. If high blood pressure or other causes damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys, their blood flow may decrease. This makes it harder for your kidneys to work properly.

If your kidneys can’t remove enough waste and fluid, excess fluid builds up in your bloodstream. This can cause blood pressure to rise, creating a cycle that leads to more kidney damage. Over time, this continued strain can lead to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

Your adrenal glands are small organs located above each kidney that produce hormones that help regulate blood pressure, balance salt and water, and manage stress. When the adrenal glands produce too much or too little of these hormones, it is called adrenal gland disorder.

Certain adrenal gland disorders, such as pheochromocytomacan cause sudden and severe spikes in blood pressure. Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that produces excess adrenaline and norepinephrine. The increase in hormones can cause episodes of very high blood pressure, as well as symptoms such as headaches, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.

Medications like diuretics, beta blockers, and other heart medications work by lowering pressure in blood vessels or slowing your heart rate. But in some cases, they can reduce it more than necessary.

Contact your doctor if you notice a sudden drop in blood pressure. They can determine if your medication needs to be adjusted. Never stop or change your treatment yourself, as this can cause dangerous changes in blood pressure and increase your risk of complications.

Frequent fluctuations can damage blood vessel walls and promote inflammation. Research shows that people with greater blood pressure variability during doctor visits are at higher risk of serious health complications.

Over time, this instability in your blood pressure can contribute to:

• Heart rhythm disorders
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Cognitive decline

Making small changes to your daily habits can go a long way in keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range while supporting your overall heart health. Here are some key steps to consider:

• Eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet that limits sodium and alcohol.
• Exercise regularly as recommended by your doctor.
• Find ways to manage your stress.
• Achieve and maintain a weight that your doctor considers healthy for you.
• Avoid smoking.
• Take all prescribed blood pressure medications.

A doctor can also help you manage fluctuations in your blood pressure. It is especially important to see a doctor if you suspect an underlying condition is causing changes in your blood pressure.