Blood pressure measures the strength ofblood pushing against the arteries walls. Every time your heart beats, it sends blood from your heart to your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels in charge of carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

High blood pressure is when your blood flows through the arteries at a higher force than it should. It is also known as hypertension. This can be dangerous since the heart has to work harder to push the blood out into the entire body. When your blood pressure remains high for too long, it can lead to more serious conditions.

• Stress| Stress causes your body to go into fight or flight mode. It does this by increasing your heart rate and makes the blood flow faster. It also thickens the blood which can lead to higher blood pressure.
• Not Enough Sleep | When you're tired, your body goes into shock which stresses it out. Once again, stress raises blood pressure.
• Dehydration | Drinking water helps to thin the blood by diluting it. Also, when your body lacks hydration it is another cause for stress.
• Excess Sugar | Sugar relates to high blood pressure since it causes inflammation. This causes an increased heart rate, which makes it harder for blood to flow throughout the body. Over time it can even lead to nerve damage.
• Trans Fat | Trans fat is bad fat. It is generally found in processed foods and comes from turning liquid oil into a solid. Trans fat is very high in cholesterol which is bad for the heart.
• Smoking | Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict. Constricted blood vessels make it difficult for blood to flow throughout the body, which can cause jammed arteries.
• Too Much Coffee | Drinking too much coffee can lead to an overstimulated nervous system. This will cause an increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Uric Acid is a waste product filtered from your blood. Your body accumulates this acid when breaking down foods called purines. In a normal functioning body, uric acid will dissolve in the blood. It is then passed through the kidneys and into the urine to get rid of.

When this material is not filtered out, it can form uric acid crystals that accumulate in the joints. These formations of crystals can become painful and dangerous when left in the body. They cause swelling and inflammation in the afflicted areas, and can lead to a decreased quality of life. If left untreated, it can cause gout or even lead to heart disease.

"If you reduce uric acid, at least in some patients, you may be able to reduce blood pressure,"said Dr. Daniel Feig, associate professor of pediatrics-renal at BCM and chief of the pediatric hypertension clinics at Texas Children's Hospital