Hypertension can be a very dangerous condition, as it is not easily detected through symptoms. That is the reason why it is also commonly known as a “silent killer”. It can lead to various diseases, including heart disease, which can be fatal. Therefore, it is very important for you to be aware of the common high blood pressure risk factors. There are several factors that may increase your risk of developing hypertension. Here is a brief rundown on some of those factors.
Family History
Those with a family history of hypertension are more prone to it. It places you in a much higher risk category in comparison to those who have no family history of high blood pressure.
Age
Age is one of the most important factors when it comes to hypertension. If you are older than 55 years, you are at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. The older you are, the higher are your chances of developing hypertension.
Men Vs Women
Gender also affects your health. It has been found that in comparison to women, men are more likely to develop this disease. However, the risk may equalize later in life.
Ethnicity
Though the reason is still not known, but various researches and studies have shown that black people have a higher risk of developing hypertension. The high blood pressure risk factors also vary depending upon whether you are an African who no longer lives in Africa (such as an African American) or someone of African heritage who still lives in Africa.
Smoking
Smoking and high blood pressure are closely related. Though family history, age, ethnicity, and gender play an important role in determining risk, there are several other factors as well that are completely under control, such as smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for many diseases, but in almost every case, your blood pressure is likely to increase if you smoke. The good thing is that this is one of those factors that you can easily control if you are determined. So, if you want to remain healthy for a long time, quit smoking.
Diet And Activity Level
Educate yourself on foods to avoid during high blood pressure. Some food items can place you in a higher risk category. For example, if you have already been diagnosed with hypertension, you should cut down your salt intake; avoid alcohol and fatty foods completely. Likewise, your activity level also matters a lot. If you do regular exercise, your chances of developing high blood pressure will be very low.
Medications
It has also been found that certain medications can cause or worsen hypertension. Therefore, you should be very careful while you are on medication. In particular, "recreational" drugs, such as amphetamines, crack, and cocaine can be very harmful.
As we can see, some of the high blood pressure risk factors are beyond our control. But, there are several other things that we can control, such as smoking, obesity, exercise, diet, and others. So get started. Control your blood pressure and live a healthy life.