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.
Gender Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with high blood pressureup to age 64, according to the AHA. 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:
Too much sodium can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.
From potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells; insufficient intake can increase blood pressure.
Alcohol consumption Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can damage the heart and lead to heart failure, stroke, and irregular heartbeat. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. The AHA advises drinking no more than two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women. One drink is equivalent to 12 ounces (oz) of beer, 4 oz of wine, 1.5 oz of 80 proof spirits, or 1 oz of 100 proof spirits.
Stress Being under intense stress can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure, according to the AHA. Additionally, if you try to cope with stress by eating too much, smoking, or drinking alcohol, all of these can contribute to high blood pressure.
Chronic conditions Have kidney disease, Sleep Apneaor diabetes can affect blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Pregnancy Being pregnant can cause an increase in blood pressure. According to the CDC, high blood pressure occurs in 1 in 12 to 17 pregnancies among women ages 20 to 44.
Birth control Women who take birth control pills have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. According to the AHA, this is more likely to occur when women are overweight, had high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy, have a family history of high blood pressure, smoke or mild kidney disease.
Causes of secondary hypertension
When high blood pressure occurs suddenly due to an identifiable illness, it is called secondary hypertension.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following conditions can lead to secondary hypertension, including:
Medicines you take to control other health problems, such as arthritis, epilepsyor allergies, can cause your blood pressure to increase.
These medications may also interfere with the ability of antihypertensive medications to keep blood pressure low.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the medications below are among those that can negatively affect blood pressure.
Pain medications Common painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications can cause fluid retention, which can increase blood pressure and create kidney problems.
Examples include:
AntidepressantsThese medications work by changing the body’s response to chemicals that affect mood. It can also lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Examples of antidepressants that can raise blood pressure include:
Hormones Birth control pills can also affect blood pressure. Women who take birth control pills usually experience a slight increase in their systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the upper and lower numbers that are determined when you have your blood pressure checked).
Hormone therapy used to relieve menopausal symptoms may also cause a slight increase in systolic blood pressure.
If you know you have high blood pressure but are considering hormone therapy, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of hormone therapy, as well as the best ways to control your blood pressure.
Additionally, some recreational and illegal drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), and amphetamines, are also known to increase blood pressure.
