Table of Contents

I. Why High Blood Pressure is Dangerous

II. Common Risk Factors

III. Preventing High Blood Pressure

IV. Diagnosis and Treatment

Why High Blood Pressure is Dangerous

High blood pressure is extremely common. Sooner or later, it affects almost everyone. The exact cause of HBP can be hard to pin down. As time goes by, many factors can contribute to the narrowing of an individual’s arteries. The good news is HBP is usually easy to detect. Once detected, prescription drugs like Cozaar (losartan) and Aldactone (spironolactone) can help control blood pressure levels. Identifying HBP early can help you stay one step ahead of complications and lead a healthier life. Read on to learn more about the risk factors of high blood pressure.

Common Risk Factors 

How Age affects Blood Pressure

HBP typically develops over time, so the risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older. Blood vessels tend to lose elasticity gradually—another reason the risk of HBP is linked with age. Although the linear relationship between age and HBP is strong, children can have HBP, too. Factors like obesity can cause HBP in children. [1]

Does Gender affect Blood Pressure?

Before the age of 64, men have a higher chance of developing HBP; after 65, women are more likely to have HBP. For women, pregnancy can sometimes cause HBP. This is referred to as gestational hypertension. Women also have an increased chance of getting HBP after menopause. [2]

How does Race increase the risk of High Blood Pressure?

Studies show that in the United States, African Americans are at a higher risk of getting HBP than people of any other race. Complications like heart attack and kidney failure are also more common in African Americans. This may be due to a gene that increases sensitivity to salt, which consequently increases blood pressure. [3]

Family History and Hypertension

Having a parent or relative that has HBP increases your risk of developing it as well. Knowing your family history can help in assessing your own risk of complications down the line. [1]

Chronic Conditions that can cause High Blood Pressure

Chronic conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, or kidney disease may increase your risk of developing HBP. The reverse is true—having HBP can cause further kidney damage. When talking to your doctor, it is important to bring up any underlying condition that you may have.

The Impact of Lifestyle and Diet on Blood Pressure

While your age, gender, race, and family history are significant when assessing your risk of HBP, your lifestyle choices can make an even greater impact. This appears to be especially true in the growing number of children whose poor lifestyle is causing increased rates of HBP. Even for those who already have high blood pressure, modifying aspects of your life can help you manage your HBP. 

A diet high in sodium, sugar, and fat will increase your risk of HBP. This type of diet may cause obesity. Being overweight burdens the heart and circulatory system and can cause conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease that directly contribute to HBP. Drinking too much alcohol or smoking can lead to heart failure, stroke, or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). 

Preventing High Blood Pressure

Yes, many things can cause or worsen HBP. Then again, there are steps you can take to counter some of these causes. A healthy diet high in potassium can help lower your blood pressure. Smoking less and drinking less will reduce your risk of HBP, among many other serious health issues. Stress is often the root cause of unhealthy habits, and stress may contribute to increased blood pressure. Getting enough physical activity can help reduce stress and the negative habits that it brings. Exercising is also great for your heart and circulatory system, so it is a win-win.  

Diagnosis and Treatment

Even if your blood pressure is at a dangerous level, you may feel little to no symptoms. At most, you may get headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath—signs that usually only occur when your HBP is life-threatening. The good news is that HBP is fairly simple to diagnose. You can routinely get your blood pressure checked during visits to your doctor. If you are diagnosed with HBP, your doctor may prescribe Cozaar (losartan) or Aldactone (spironolactone) to help manage your blood pressure. Combining your treatment plan with healthy lifestyle changes will give you the best chance at successfully avoiding serious complications. 

The content provided in this article is based on thorough research and in some cases, reviewed by a medical professional. Our goal for the information is to provide helpful, general health informational. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.