Are you at risk for high blood pressure?
While most causes of hypertension are unknown, there are factors that increase your risk of getting the condition. It’s important to know your risks and which factors you can and can’t control. That’s because high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart failure, heart attack, vision loss, kidney failure, and stroke.
Risk factors you CAN’T control
Your age: As we grow older, our blood vessels lose flexibility and that can increase blood pressure. Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure during middle age (around 45) and women are more likely to develop it after menopause (around 55). More than half of adults 60 years of age or older have high blood pressure.
Your ethnicity: Hypertension can affect anyone, but it’s more common among African Americans than Caucasians and Hispanic Americans. It can also appear much earlier in life and become much more severe. Some research suggests that higher obesity rates and diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, and that there’s the possibility that a specific gene may make blacks more sensitive to salt — which can contribute to high blood pressure.
Your family history: If you have high blood pressure, there’s a strong chance that someone else in your family has it, too. That’s because in the same way that height, hair, and eye color are passed down between generations, so is hypertension. While you can’t control where your genes come from, you can decrease your risk for high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Risk factors you CAN control
Your weight: The more you weigh, the more you’re at risk for hypertension. That’s because excess weight increases the strain on your heart. Losing just 10 to 20 pounds can help lower your blood pressure.
Your diet: A diet that’s high in calories, fats, and sugars and low in essential nutrients is directly related to poor health and obesity. Changing to a heart-healthy diet — one that includes healthier foods and low-sodium options — can help lower your high blood pressure.
Your activity level: Being inactive not only increases your risk for hypertension, but also heart disease and stroke. Inactive people typically have higher heart rates at rest, and the higher it is, the harder your heart must work. Adding exercise and physical activity to your routine can make a big difference.
Your other health conditions: Certain other conditions you may have, including diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, can increase your risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. High blood pressure can also make these conditions more severe. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to help manage your health conditions.
Your lifestyle habits: Quitting or cutting back on unhealthy lifestyle habits can help reduce your risk for hypertension. In addition to lung disease, smoking can temporarily raise your blood pressure and can damage your arteries. If you drink, limit yourself to two drinks a day if you’re a man, and only one drink a day if you’re a woman.
Talk to your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise programs.
