Risk Factors for Hypertension
| About risk factors: Risk factors for Hypertension are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Hypertension makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Hypertension. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Hypertension. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center. |
Risk factor list: The list of risk factors mentioned for Hypertension in various sources includes:
- Obesity
- Overweight
- Diabetes
- Age
- Race - African Americans have a higher risk than Caucasians.
- Family history of high blood pressure
- High-normal blood pressure
- High salt diet
- High saturated fat diet
- Lack of exercise
- Poor physical fitness
- Alcohol
- Alcoholism
- Stress
- Inactivity
Risk factor statistics for Hypertension: The following are statistics from various sources about the risk factors for Hypertension:
- Physical inactivity increases the risk of hypertension by 30% (World Heart Federation Fact-Sheet, 2002)
Risk factors discussion: An estimated 60 to 65 percent of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.1
Others who are at a high risk of developing it are African Americans, the overweight, those with a family history of high blood pressure, and those with a high-normal blood pressure.2
It is also important to know that if you take birth control pills, your blood pressure is apt to increase slightly. The risk appears to increase with age and with length of use. If you are taking oral contraceptives, you should get your blood pressure checked regularly. If hypertension develops, you should stop using the pill.3
Older women have a higher risk of high blood pressure, with more than half of all women over age 55 suffering from this condition. High blood pressure is more common and more severe in African-American women than it is in white women. Using birth control pills can contribute to high blood pressure in some women. 4
Blood pressure tends to get higher as you age. So, even if your blood pressure is normal now, it makes sense to take steps to prevent high blood pressure in the years to come. You will be less likely to develop high blood pressure if you are physically active, maintain a healthy weight, limit your alcohol intake, and cut down on salt and sodium. 4
Moderate drinking can have beneficial effects on the heart, especially among those at greatest risk for heart attacks, such as men over the age of 45 and women after menopause. But long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some kinds of stroke. 5
Risks factors for Hypertension: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Hypertension:
- 1.56 hypertension sufferers worldwide predicted by 2025
- About metabolic syndrome
- Alcohol consumption without food increases risk of hypertension
- Calcium intake by pregnant women reduces offspring’s risk of high blood pressure
- Calcium is a vital mineral in our diets
- Childhood blood pressure linked to adult heart disease
- Children increasingly face adult diseases
- DASH diet alleviates many health problems
- Dementia more prevalent in black Americans
- Dementia risk factors determined
- Diabetics need to be more aware of benefits of aspirin
- Different hypertension drug therapy combinations pose different level of risk
- Diuretics are cheap and the benefits outweigh the risks
- FDA warns consumers about dietary supplements that treat erectile dysfunction
- Folate intake linked to reduced risk of hypertension
- Heart attack risk may be determined by testing blood pressure after exercise
- High blood pressure in blacks not due to genetics
- High blood pressure may be improved by meditation
- High blood pressure sufferers should be wary of decongestant use
- High salt consumption can cause a range of health problems
- Hypertension needs rapid attention
- Hypertension risk may be lowered by high folate intake
- Kidney disease is a seriously underdiagnosed condition in Australia
- Long term effects of obesity surgery examined
- LVH may increase the risk of adverse events in hypertensive patients
- Meditation improves blood pressure even in children
- Men taking hypertension drugs can also safely use Viagra
- Mental abilities may be compromised by high blood pressure
- New risk factors may be associated with cardiovascular disease risk
- Obesity increases risk of complications during pregnancy
- Obesity is associated with an increased risk of many conditions
- Only certain vegetables and fruits may have cancer fighting properties
- Oral contraceptive use may increase risk of high blood pressure
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension needs rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Proposed over the counter cholesterol drug still under doubt
- Proximity to old toxic waste storage sites may be linked to increased risk of conditions such as respiratory disease
- Risk factors for postnatal depression defined
- Scientists examine effects of lack of activity
- Statins may benefit people at low risk of heart disease
- UK government gets serious about averting high salt consumption
- Vegetarians have lower rates of hypertension than non-vegetarians
- Vioxx tended not to be used by targeted group
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Diabetes Statistics in the United States: NIDDK
2. excerpt from Heart Disease & Women Controlling High Blood Pressure A Woman's Guide: NHLBI
3. excerpt from Heart Disease & Women Preventing & Controlling High Blood Pressure: NHLBI
4. excerpt from NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI
5. excerpt from Alcohol What You Don't Know Can Harm You: NIAAA
Last revision: Nov 13, 2003
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