Many factors increase the risk of high blood pressure. Some risk factors, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, can be changed. Other risk factors, such as age, family history and genetics, race and ethnicity, and gender, cannot be changed. Ahealthy lifestylemay lower your risk of developing high blood pressure.
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Blood pressure tends to increase with age. Our blood vessels naturally become thicker and stiffer over time. These changes increase the risk of high blood pressure.
However, the risk of high blood pressure increases for children and teens, possibly because more and more children and teens are overweight or obese.
Family history and genetics
High blood pressure often runs in families. Much of what we know about high blood pressure comes from genetic studies. Many differentgeneralis associated with a small increase in the risk of high blood pressure. Research suggests that some DNA changes as an unborn child grows in the womb can lead to high blood pressure later in life.
Some people are very sensitive to salt in their diet, which can play a role in high blood pressure. This can also run in families.
Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits can increase your risk for high blood pressure, including if you:
- Often eat unhealthy food. This is especially true for foods with too much sodium and too little potassium. Some people, including African Americans, older adults, and people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or diabetesmetabolismsyndrome, are more sensitive to salt in their diet.
- Drink too much alcohol or caffeine.
- Not getting enough physical activity.
- Smoking or using illegal drugs such as cocaine, "bath salts" and methamphetamine.
- Not getting enough good quality sleep.
Medicines
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can make it harder for your body to control your blood pressure. Antidepressants, decongestants (drugs to relieve a stuffy nose), hormonal birth control pills, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen can all increase your blood pressure.
Other medical conditions
Other medical conditions change the way your body controls fluids, sodium, and blood sugar levelshormonesin your blood. Other conditions that can cause high blood pressure include:
- Decidedtumors
- Chronic kidney disease
- Metaboolsyndroom
- Overweight and obesity
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid problems
Race or ethnicity
High blood pressure is more common in African American and Hispanic adults than in white or Asian adults. Compared to other racial or ethnic groups, African Americans tend to have higher average blood pressure numbers and develop high blood pressure earlier in life. Experiencing discrimination has been linked to high blood pressure. In addition, some high blood pressure medications may not work as well in African Americans.
During the daypregnancyAfrican American women are more likely than white women to develop preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition that causes sudden high blood pressure and problems with the kidneys and liver.
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Men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure in middle age. However, in older adults, women are more likely than men to develop high blood pressure.
Women who have thathigh blood pressure during pregnancyare more likely to develop high blood pressure later in life.
Social and economic factors
Research now shows that factors such as income, your education, where you live and the type of job you have can contribute to your risk of high blood pressure. Working early or late shifts is an example of a social factor that can increase your risk.
Additionally, some studies have shown that experiencing danger, injury, or trauma as a child is linked to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
