Predisposing Factors of Hypertension

There are many factors that determine who is most likely to develop hypertension. They run the gamut from those you cannot control like heredity, to those you can such as lifestyle and habits. It is important to know what you can do to prevent high blood pressure, since the condition may lead to further complications such as heart disease, strokes and kidney failure.

Age, Race and Family

• The American Heart Association has a list of three uncontrollable risk factors for hypertension: age, race and family history. The likelihood of high blood pressure increases as you get older. Men tend to get hypertension early in middle age, while women can acquire it later, usually after menopause. Race plays an important role as an uncontrollable risk factor, as it tends to develop more often in those of African-American descent than in Caucasians.
  Family heritage also contributes to hypertension. If you have many close relatives that have high blood pressure, chances are you will be at greater risk.
  All of the aforementioned factors are uncontrollable by nature. We cannot reverse our age, change our racial background or determine who our family members are, but there are several methods that are within our control to prevent hypertension.

Sedentary Lifestyle

• Those who do not exercise are more likely to develop hypertension. These people tend to have higher heartbeat rates than those who work out, and this forces the heart to work harder during each contraction. This puts more pressure on the arteries, so the propensity for heart diseases or heart attacks becomes greater. A sedentary lifestyle is also a precursor to being overweight or obese, which is another hypertension risk factor. The heavier the weight, the more blood is necessary to deliver oxygen to the tissues. This causes more pressure to be placed on arterial walls, leading to a greater potential for heart problems.

Diet

• One of the biggest dietary factors that pertain to high blood pressure is too much sodium. Foods that are cured or are high in salt content can cause hypertension. Too much sodium in a diet will cause fluid retention in the body, which in turn will cause blood pressure to increase. Many canned foods and meals from fast food restaurants are high in sodium.
  The lack of potassium also affects sodium levels in the blood and increases the risk of hypertension. Potassium balances the amount of sodium in our cells, so if we don't get enough, too much sodium may accrue in our bloodstream.
  Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are conducting studies to determine if vitamin D may have an effect on hypertension. They believe eating too little may lead to this condition since it affects an enzyme produced by kidneys that affects blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic notes that more tests are needed to find if there is a correlation between vitamin D and hypertension.

Alcohol and Tobacco

• According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol and tobacco temporarily raise blood pressure levels and also have long-term effects. When you drink alcohol, the body dispenses hormones that increase heart rate. In the long term, alcohol can damage the heart. The chemicals in tobacco also cause a short-term increases in heart rates. They also damage the lining of the artery walls, forcing them to narrow and increase blood pressure.

Stress and Chronic Conditions

• A high-stress level can also cause temporary problems with the heart. When stress is experienced at a high level, it can cause a massive increase in blood pressure, which in turn can cause a heart attack. Other factors, like chronic conditions, may lead to high blood pressure. Diabetes, high cholesterol and kidney disease are a few contributing factors to hypertension.