6 Inflammatory Triggers That Raise Blood Pressure

Inflammation doesn’t always come with pain or redness. Sometimes, it quietly brews beneath the surface—damaging blood vessels, stiffening arteries, and raising your blood pressure without a single warning sign.

Recent research confirms: inflammation is a key driver behind hypertension. If your blood pressure has been creeping up, the cause might not be salt or genetics alone. It could be one of these six daily triggers ramping up hidden inflammation in your body.

1. Processed Vegetable Oils

These oils—like soybean, corn, and sunflower oil—are high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Too much omega-6 promotes inflammation in the bloodstream and damages the inner lining of your arteries (the endothelium), making them less flexible. This forces the heart to pump harder, spiking blood pressure over time. 1, 2

2. High Blood Sugar Spikes

Each sugar spike damages your arteries like microscopic sandpaper.

It inflames the inner vessel walls, inviting cholesterol buildup and stiffening the arterial lining. Even "healthy" sugars from juices or granola bars can have this effect when overconsumed. 3, 4

3. Poor Sleep Quality

Just one bad night of sleep increases inflammatory markers in the body.

Lack of deep, restorative sleep raises cortisol and sympathetic nervous activity—two factors that constrict blood vessels and elevate blood pressure. Over time, this sleep-induced inflammation keeps vessels in a constant state of tension. 5, 6

4. Chronic Stress

Unmanaged stress triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline.

These hormones are designed for short bursts—but when stress becomes daily, they inflame the cardiovascular system. The result? Increased vessel tightness and resistance, both of which raise blood pressure. 7, 8

5. Inactive Lifestyle

Lack of movement slows down circulation and lowers nitric oxide production.

This leads to stiffer arteries and poor vascular responsiveness. Even 20–30 minutes of daily movement is enough to reverse this inflammatory state and train blood vessels to stay flexible. 9, 10

6. Artificial Additives & Preservatives

Found in packaged snacks, frozen meals, and diet drinks.

These chemicals may be convenient—but they’re foreign to your body and can provoke low-grade inflammation in your blood vessels. This quiet irritation raises internal pressure, often going unnoticed until blood pressure numbers climb. 11

Your Takeaway

Blood pressure doesn’t just rise because of aging or salt.

Inflammation is often the hidden force behind it. If your numbers have been creeping up, it may be time to look at what’s happening on the inside.

By removing these inflammatory triggers and replacing them with anti-inflammatory habits, you don’t just lower pressure—you help your heart beat easier, longer, and stronger. Your arteries are paying attention to every daily choice. Make them count.

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 †Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Product results may vary from person to person.