Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is caused by excessive salt intake; however, according to scientists, there are more reasons. Experts also blame a brain glitch. A part of the brain that makes us breathe while laughing or coughing could also cause a blood pressure spike, as per researchers from New Zealand and Brazil. This could explain why medication is not enough for controlling BP in some people. According to experts at the University of Auckland, there is a part of the brain that could cause high BP, thereby suggesting that the brain is responsible for hypertension.Is the brain responsible for high BP?Experts say that the lateral parafacial region is located in the brainstem. It is the oldest part of the brain and regulates heart rate, digestion, and breathing. Its action causes one to exhale during a cough, laugh, or workout. These actions are driven by abdominal muscles. Researchers also found that this area could connect to the nerves that tighten blood vessels and raise blood pressure. However, it is possible to reverse this action by inactivating this region.What is hypertension?Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition wherein blood pushes against the walls of the blood vessels with too much force. Initially, it has no symptoms, but it is a silent killer. Over time, untreated high BP can lead to a stroke or a heart attack. While it is mostly believed to be a consequence of smoking, drinking alcohol, eating salty foods, and not exercising, experts have found other causes as well. As per research by the University of São Paulo in Brazil and the University of Auckland in New Zealand, published in the journal Circulation Research, rat brains had their brain cells in the lateral parafacial region switched off.How is high BP triggered by the brain?Researchers in the study successfully reactivated neurons in some rats and found that brain circuits ultimately raised BP. Experts mapped out what happened and compared it with rats that did not have hypertension. In the hypertensive group, lateral parafacial region neurons were helping with breathing but were also raising BP. This suggests that changes in breathing, which involve abdominal muscle contractions, can also trigger high BP. This is why patients with sleep apnoea experience interrupted breathing while sleeping and high blood pressure.Apart from normal breathing, lateral parafacial region neurons are activated when oxygen levels are low. Experts also checked whether they could trigger the brainstem with medication. They noted that it was tricky because drugs would work on the entire brain and not a specific region. It could be activated by signals from the neck cells near the carotid artery. These can be safely targeted with medication.How to control persistent high BP? To control persistent high BP, medication every day is a must. But to intensify the benefits, try the following simple tricks: Reduce salt intake MeditationQuit smoking Lose weight Limit alcohol intake