In the short term it is regulated by baroreceptors which act via the brain to influence nervous and endocrine systems. Blood pressure that is low due to a disease state is called hypotension, and pressure that is consistently high is hypertension. Both have many causes and may be of sudden onset or of long duration. Long term hypertension is a risk factor for many diseases, including heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
Decrease your sodium intake. An excessive amount of salt in the body will absorb water and cause you to retain water. Consequently, to avoid water retention, moderate the amount of sodium you eat on a daily basis. Many processed foods are high in sodium, and will cause you to exceed your daily recommended sodium intake.
Water retention occurs when fluid builds up in the body. In most cases, fluid retention does not cause serious problems. But sometimes, fluid retention causes dangerous effects on the body. Conditions that cause fluid retention include heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, premenstrual syndrome and preeclampsia. Discuss water retention with a physician if you are concerned about the dangers of this symptom.