The following may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Older age THE risk of high blood pressure increases with age; the older you are, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure. According to the AHA, blood vessels gradually lose their elasticity over time, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
The risk of prehypertension and high blood pressure has also increased in recent years among young people, including children and adolescents, likely due to increasing obesity in these populations, the National Heart Institute reports. lungs and blood.
Race According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure is more common among Black American adults than among White, Asian, or Hispanic adults.
However, after this age, women are more likely to suffer from hypertension.
Family history Having a family history of high blood pressure increases your risk, because the disease tends to run in families, the AHA reports.
To be overweight The more you weigh, the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. According to the Mayo Clinic, when the volume of blood pumping through your blood vessels increases, the pressure on your artery walls also increases.
Lack of physical activity According to the Mayo Clinic, people who are not active tend to have higher heart rates and blood pressure than those who are physically active.
Not exercising also increases the risk of being overweight.
Tobacco consumption When you smoke or chew tobacco, your blood pressure temporarily increases, partly due to the effects of nicotine. Moreover, chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your arteries, which can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Being exposed to second-hand smoke can also increase your blood pressure.
Food choices What you choose to eat (and not eat) can increase your risk of hypertension, according to the Mayo Clinic:
