Hypertension is a physical adaptation to resistance to flow. When our blood vessels are too narrow for a variety of reasons the pressure we need to sustain perfusion is high. Some of these mechanisms such as stress, kidney hormonal factors that are out of balance, blood that is too thick, mineral imbalances, oxidative stress, and idiopathic. There's a balance between stress and relaxation that has much to do with how we go through life. How we breathe is linked to our mindfulness and both are powerful aspects of our adaptation to life. The role of exercise, diet, sleep, weight, and stress are discussed.
