High Blood Pressure: Risk Factors

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can happen to anyone. But there are certain factors – some within your control -- that can put you at greater risk for the disease. 
 

Family history. If your parent or a close blood relative has high blood pressure, then you are more likely to develop it, too. And if you have high blood pressure, that means your children have a greater risk, too. So make sure everyone gets checked.

Age. The older you are, the greater your risk for developing high blood pressure. In fact, even if you don’t have high blood pressure by your 55^th birthday, you still face a 90 percent chance of developing it during your lifetime.

Gender. Until age 45, men are more likely to have high blood pressure than women. From ages 45 to 64, the percentages of men and women with this condition are about the same. After that, women are much more likely to have high blood pressure than men.

Inactivity. Being active is good for the heart and circulation. But if you’re not active, you’re more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. You’re also more likely to become overweight or obese.

Poor diet. Healthy food choices can lower blood pressure. Foods that are low in nutrients and high in calories, fat, sugar and salt raise your risk of high blood pressure (and being overweight).

Being overweight or obese. Too much weight puts a strain on the heart, raises blood cholesterol and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also increases your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure.

The good news? Losing 10 to 20 pounds can lower your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease.

Drinking too much alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure significantly. Drinking too much or too often also contributes to heart failure and can lead to stroke.
 
If you drink, limit your alcohol intake to one to two drinks per day for men and just one drink per day for women. A drink is one 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, 1 1/2 ounces of 80-proof spirits or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.

Pre-existing conditions. In 5- to 10-percent of cases, high blood pressure is caused by a pre-existing health condition such as kidney problems or narrowing of certain arteries. This type of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension.