“Too much of thinking does not cause high blood pressure” — Nurse lists causes of HBP

A nurse has challenged the common belief that too much thinking causes high blood pressure (HBP), describing the claim as a misconception.

In a video circulating on social media, the nurse said people often tell individuals with high blood pressure that they developed the condition because they “think too much”.

“Nigerians, too much thinking does not cause high blood pressure,” she said.

Explaining her position, the nurse said thinking takes place in the brain, particularly the frontal lobe, while hypertension involves the heart and blood vessels.

“You think with your brain. It is your brain you are using to think,” she said.

She added that the frontal lobe is responsible for thinking and argued that high blood pressure does not directly concern the part of the brain used for thinking.

“High blood pressure focuses on the heart. The heart and the blood vessels, especially the arteries.”

The nurse said genetics is one of the factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing hypertension.

“If you have a family member that is hypertensive, I’m not saying you must have it though. It puts you at a risk of having it.”

She also identified excessive salt consumption as another risk factor, warning people against adding too much salt and seasoning to their meals.

“Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure,” she said.

The nurse further highlighted physical inactivity, urging people who spend most of their time sitting or lying down to become more active.

She criticised those who spend their days on their phones and social media without making time for physical activity.

“You cannot even stand up and say, let me just walk around more. Let me just take a stroll.”

According to the nurse, being overweight or obese can also increase the risk of high blood pressure.

“When somebody is too fat or when somebody is overweight, it can lead to high blood pressure.”

She also listed smoking and excessive alcohol consumption among the factors associated with hypertension.

“Smoking, it can cause high blood pressure.”

On alcohol, she said: “Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure.”

The nurse also identified increasing age as another risk factor, noting that older people are at greater risk of developing hypertension.

She then addressed chronic stress, saying people who work continuously without adequate rest may also face increased health risks.

“Chronic stress, those of you that don’t use to rest.”

She described people who wake up early, work throughout the week and remain busy during their supposed rest days as examples of those who may experience chronic stress.

Despite mentioning chronic stress, the nurse maintained that excessive thinking itself should not be regarded as a cause of high blood pressure.

“There are still more, but I promise you excessive thinking does not cause high blood pressure. Stop having that misconception.”

However, medical authorities recognise several risk factors for hypertension, including family history, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and increasing age.

Stress can also temporarily raise blood pressure, although the relationship between long-term stress and hypertension is more complex.

Watch the video here…

“Nigerians, too much thinking does not cause high blood pressure”

— Nurse lists the main causes of high blood pressurepic.twitter.com/djfAlH7fg9

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) September 23, 2026