High Blood Pressure - Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
The incidence of high blood pressure is becoming more common in today’s society and it’s not really surprising - high stress environments and poor unhealthy diets make for a pretty lethal combination.
If it’s left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can cause very serious health issues indeed, which is why it’s important for you to know not only how to treat your high blood pressure, but also what steps you can take to prevent yourself from ever having high blood pressure in the first place.
It’s also advisable to be aware of the risk factors associated with high blood pressure.
Here are some of the risk factors for high blood pressure that you can’t do anything about, but that you need to be aware of.
Race. People of African descent are more likely to have high blood pressure.
Age and Sex. Under the age of 55, men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure. This reverses over the age of 55; however, everyone’s risk increases at that age.
Heredity.If someone in your family had high blood pressure, then you’re more likely to have it.
Pregnancy. Some women develop high blood pressure during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Although there is nothing you can do to control the factors listed above, there are lots of risk factors that you can - and should - control. Amongst the factors you can control are the following:
Smoking. I probably don’t need to tell you this, but if you’re a smoker, you need to stop. You know it’s not healthy, and along with all the other negative consequences, smoking can lead to high blood pressure. Don’t do what I did, which was to stop smoking because they wouldn’t let me smoke in intensive care.
Diet. Eating a diet without a lot of fruits and vegetables and with excessive levels of salt can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. Cut back on the salt and add fruits and vegetables to your daily diet.
Exercise. The incidence of high blood pressure is lower in those people who get regular exercise. You should Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to reduce your risk.
Medical conditions. There are several medical conditions that can have a secondary effect of raising your blood pressure. It is important to treat these conditions before high blood pressure becomes a real problem. Some of these diseases are: sleep apnea, kidney disease, and Cushing’s disease. Be sure to ask your doctor if you’re at risk.
Weight. The heavier you are, the more likely it is you’ll develop hypertension. By losing just a few pounds, you can lower your blood pressure, or just reduce your risk in the future.
Stress. Being highly stressed all the time increases the likelihood of developing high blood pressure. Try some relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, or massage.
Drinking. A small amount of alcohol every day won’t hurt you and may even be good for you. That said, drinking in excess can cause a jump in blood pressure. More than one or two drinks a day increases your risk.
Medications. Certain legal and illegal drugs can cause your blood pressure to rise. If you are taking one of these drugs, you should ask your doctor if there is a safer alternative. If they are illegal drugs, your doctor can get you help for quitting. Examples of drugs that can put you at risk include steroids, cocaine, anti-inflammatories, cold medicines, decongestants, diet pills, some antidepressants, and oral contraceptives.
Don’t wait until it’s too late; know the facts and take the steps to decrease your risk of high blood pressure today. Do you even know what your blood pressure is? If you don’t, you need to find out today.
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