Risk Factors for Hypertension or High Blood pressure
There are a number of risk factors which put you at increased risk of developing hypertension. Some you can control – and some you can’t. If any of these factors affect you then it is very important that you take preventative steps. You should also get your blood pressure measured regularly to be sure. Remember high blood pressure usually has no symptoms until damage has occurred!
Risk Factors You Cannot Control
Heredity
If any of your close relatives have high blood pressure then you are more likely to develop it too. If your parents have high blood pressure then you need to take preventative steps immediately.
Race
African American people are more at risk that Caucasians. Doctors don’t know why – but it is likely to be a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.
Gender
Men are more at risk than women. But, ladies, don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet! Birth control pills and pregnancy are risk factors for Hypertension.
Age
Older people are more at risk. Doctors don’t know precisely why but they do know that if an older person takes steps to remain slim, active and healthy then they don’t have to develop high blood pressure.
Risk Factors you can control
Smoking
One of the best things you can do for your overall health is to give up smoking!
Obesity
Hypertension is just one of the conditions that you are more at risk from if you are obese.
Salt intake
This can be tricky to manage. Salt can easily be hidden in foods – especially convenience and pre-packaged ones. Check labels and do not add table salt.
Inactivity
You don’t have to join expensive gyms to get active – simply taking a fifteen minute walk twice a day can be enough. This is another area where the benefits extend beyond taking care of your blood pressure.
Drinking excess alcohol
This is dangerous for many reasons not just blood pressure.
Diabetes
Unfortunately many cases of diabetes are caused by lifestyle factors. The same lifestyle factors which cause high blood pressure. In additions if you have diabetes then you are a greater risk of getting high blood pressure. Just to make matters worse having both high blood pressure and diabetes is very dangerous. So if you have diabetes then you must watch your blood pressure and take preventative steps to make sure it doesn’t get too high. On the bright side many of the steps to prevent hypertension will also help your diabetes.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause high blood pressure – mostly it will disappear after delivery. But in the last trimester blood pressure can spike to dangerous levels and can be responsible for complications.
Other Factors
There are a number of conditions and diseases that have high blood pressure as a symptom. There are also a number of medications that have high blood pressure as a side effect. If you have one of these conditions or take one of these medications then your doctor will be monitoring your blood pressure as part of your regular checkups.