Today over 65 million American adults are affected by high blood pressure or hypertension as it is medically referred to.
This is an increase of 30% over the previous decade.
This disease is often termed the "silent killer" because many people that are affected by it are unaware.
While we know that some diseases such as diabetes are linked to high blood pressure the truth is that in 90-95% of all cases the exact cause is unknown.
What we do know is that there are certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of someone developing hypertension in the future.
GENDER AND AGE Age is one of the major risk factors of high blood pressure.
This is true for both men and women.
As we age our blood pressure will increase.
It is estimated that more than two-thirds of people over 60 have hypertension.
Women in this age group seem to have a higher rate of hypertension than men and also have a higher mortality rate from it.
Unfortunately this disease is also becoming more common in children and teenagers.
ETHNICITY African Americans are more at risk than Caucasians.
African Americans have 1.
8 times the rate of fatal stroke, 1.
5 times the rate of fatal heart disease and 4.
2 times the rate of end-stage kidney disease.
It is estimated that 34% of African American men and women suffer from hypertension and that it accounts for 40% of deaths in this group.
The rate of high blood pressure among African Americans is the highest in the world.
The rate among Caucasians, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans is consistent at 24% to 27%.
The rate among Asians however is the lowest.
In this group only 9.
7% of men and 8.
4% of women have hypertension.
However over 75% of all older Japanese American men have the condition.
There are several theories trying to explain these differences in rates but it is evident that treatment for hypertension is lacking in major minority groups.
This is evident by the higher mortality rates from heart disease.
WEIGHT If you are overweight the risk of high blood pressure increases.
About one third of all patients with high blood pressure are overweight.
The increase in weight as we age may be related to the increase in hypertension as we get older.
In some other cultures it has been noted that age does not coincide with weight gain or high blood pressure.
Children and adolescents that are obese run a higher risk of developing the condition as they age.
An interesting fact is that thin people with hypertension are at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke than obese people with hypertension.
Some believe that thin people with hypertension are more likely to suffer from enlarged hearts or stiff arteries with pose additional medical risk.
Low birth weight is associated with high blood pressure and hypertension in both childhood and adulthood.
This seems to be more pronounced in girls than in boys.
One study done suggests that breast-feeding these babies may reduce the risk.
Another study showed higher rates of stress hormones in underweight babies may increase the risk for high blood pressure later in life.
Lower birth weight is also associated with obesity later in life which is a major contributor to high blood pressure.
DIABETES There is a strong correlation between insulin resistance and hypertension.
This is true in people with and without diabetes.
Some believe that up to 75% of cardiovascular problems in diabetics are due to hypertension.
It is unclear at this time which condition causes the other.
It is recommended that people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease reduce their blood pressure to 130/80 mm Hg or lower in order to protect the heart.
The lowering of systolic pressure may be of particular importance to people with diabetes.
FAMILY AND HEREDITY Studies have shown that people of spouses who have high blood pressure may be more at higher risk.
The belief is that dietary and environmental factors play a role in this disease.
By some estimates 30% to 60% of all cases of hypertension may be inherited.
Having a brother or sister with premature coronary heart disease is a greater risk factor of having hypertension than having a parent with the disease.
A family history of heart disease is a major risk factor of having hypertension in people over the age of 65.
In conclusion, while we do not always know the cause of high blood pressure in specific individuals we need to be aware of the factors that increase its likelihood.
If you feel that you are at a higher risk it is important to discuss this with your doctor and have your blood pressure tested.
He or she will be able to diagnose and treat this condition.
This is an increase of 30% over the previous decade.
This disease is often termed the "silent killer" because many people that are affected by it are unaware.
While we know that some diseases such as diabetes are linked to high blood pressure the truth is that in 90-95% of all cases the exact cause is unknown.
What we do know is that there are certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of someone developing hypertension in the future.
GENDER AND AGE Age is one of the major risk factors of high blood pressure.
This is true for both men and women.
As we age our blood pressure will increase.
It is estimated that more than two-thirds of people over 60 have hypertension.
Women in this age group seem to have a higher rate of hypertension than men and also have a higher mortality rate from it.
Unfortunately this disease is also becoming more common in children and teenagers.
ETHNICITY African Americans are more at risk than Caucasians.
African Americans have 1.
8 times the rate of fatal stroke, 1.
5 times the rate of fatal heart disease and 4.
2 times the rate of end-stage kidney disease.
It is estimated that 34% of African American men and women suffer from hypertension and that it accounts for 40% of deaths in this group.
The rate of high blood pressure among African Americans is the highest in the world.
The rate among Caucasians, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans is consistent at 24% to 27%.
The rate among Asians however is the lowest.
In this group only 9.
7% of men and 8.
4% of women have hypertension.
However over 75% of all older Japanese American men have the condition.
There are several theories trying to explain these differences in rates but it is evident that treatment for hypertension is lacking in major minority groups.
This is evident by the higher mortality rates from heart disease.
WEIGHT If you are overweight the risk of high blood pressure increases.
About one third of all patients with high blood pressure are overweight.
The increase in weight as we age may be related to the increase in hypertension as we get older.
In some other cultures it has been noted that age does not coincide with weight gain or high blood pressure.
Children and adolescents that are obese run a higher risk of developing the condition as they age.
An interesting fact is that thin people with hypertension are at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke than obese people with hypertension.
Some believe that thin people with hypertension are more likely to suffer from enlarged hearts or stiff arteries with pose additional medical risk.
Low birth weight is associated with high blood pressure and hypertension in both childhood and adulthood.
This seems to be more pronounced in girls than in boys.
One study done suggests that breast-feeding these babies may reduce the risk.
Another study showed higher rates of stress hormones in underweight babies may increase the risk for high blood pressure later in life.
Lower birth weight is also associated with obesity later in life which is a major contributor to high blood pressure.
DIABETES There is a strong correlation between insulin resistance and hypertension.
This is true in people with and without diabetes.
Some believe that up to 75% of cardiovascular problems in diabetics are due to hypertension.
It is unclear at this time which condition causes the other.
It is recommended that people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease reduce their blood pressure to 130/80 mm Hg or lower in order to protect the heart.
The lowering of systolic pressure may be of particular importance to people with diabetes.
FAMILY AND HEREDITY Studies have shown that people of spouses who have high blood pressure may be more at higher risk.
The belief is that dietary and environmental factors play a role in this disease.
By some estimates 30% to 60% of all cases of hypertension may be inherited.
Having a brother or sister with premature coronary heart disease is a greater risk factor of having hypertension than having a parent with the disease.
A family history of heart disease is a major risk factor of having hypertension in people over the age of 65.
In conclusion, while we do not always know the cause of high blood pressure in specific individuals we need to be aware of the factors that increase its likelihood.
If you feel that you are at a higher risk it is important to discuss this with your doctor and have your blood pressure tested.
He or she will be able to diagnose and treat this condition.
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