Causes of High Blood Pressure
One third of adult Americans have hypertension or high blood pressure which is caused by narrowed arteries that limit blood flow. There are many conditions that increase hypertension including excessive intake of salt, different body hormone levels, and the condition of blood vessels, nervous system, or kidneys. Other causes can be traced to family genetics, smoking, alcohol, and as you might suspect, lack of exercise.
As hard as physicians try, the cause of 85% to 95% of people with high blood pressure is not known. This condition, primary hypertension, probably results from a variety of causes.
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases as we age. Men have a higher risk of high blood pressure until the age of 45, however from age 45 to 54, men and women are equally at risk for high blood pressure. Studies prove that after the age of 54, women are actually more likely to have higher incidences of blood pressure problems than men do.
If there is a history in your family of high blood pressure you are more likely to develop high blood pressure yourself. People of African American and Native American ethnicity have very high rates of high blood pressure. Also, compared with Caucasians, African Americans develop hypertension earlier in life. Due to Hispanics having a higher ratio of diabetes and obesity compared with Caucasians, they also have the added risk factors for developing hypertension.
Effects Of Obesity and Stress
Obesity and stress increase the risks for many illnesses but especially high blood pressure. People with heightened anxiety, intense anger, and suppressed expression of anger along with being overweight are more at risk of developing high blood pressure.
When you become 30 years of age, you need to start paying closer attention to your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure you will experience no symptoms unless the blood pressure is extremely high. It is important to remember that when left untreated, high blood pressure may lead to serious complications such as damage of the major organs; the heart, brain, and kidneys, as well as the small blood vessels of the eyes.
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