The Risk Factors of Hypertension

Of the 65 million Americans with high blood pressure, 30% don't know they are affected, 11% aren't on any type of therapy for it, and 25% are on therapy that doesn't meet their needs. Up to 95% of the high blood pressure cases do not have a discernable cause to be found for it. Some of the risk factors for high blood pressure include stress, heredity, being over 35, too much salt in the diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and alcohol consumption. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects more than 65 million Americans over the age of six years of age. It is when a patient's blood pressure is higher than 140/90. It doesn't have any symptoms, but if detected can be readily treated and controlled. High blood pressure has been shown to increase your likelihood of heart attack and stroke. Periodic physicals will generally catch hypertension, as your doctor takes your blood pressure and monitors it from visit to visit. This is another reason why scheduled doctor visits with a family physician is a good idea.

Weight Factor
People that have a BMI higher than 30 and are considered medically obese have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure.

Salt Factor
Having a high amount of salt in one's system can increase your blood pressure by constricting vessels.

The Alcohol/Cigarette Factor
Drinking more than one drink a day if you are female or more than two a day if you are male, and smoking, increases the blood pressure in patients. Cutting out nicotine and alcohol from your daily activities is one of the healthiest things you can do for your heart.

The Exercise Factor
A sedentary lifestyle increases the chances for high blood pressure because it also increases the chances of becoming overweight.

The Stress Factor
Difficult to measure and ascertain as to how it affects blood pressure, the patients ability to cope with that stress is generally an issue.