HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which your resting blood pressure is consistently measured at 130/80 or greater. Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure.
Causes and Risk Factors
Research has shown that the following factors put you at a higher risk for developing high blood pressure:
- • Being obese or overweight
- • Being of African descent
- • If male, being over age 45; if female, being over age 55
- • A family history of hypertension
- • Having elevated blood pressure (blood pressure in the 120-129/80 range)
- • Eating an unhealthy diet that is high in sodium and low in potassium
- • Drinking too much alcohol
- • Being physically inactive
- • Smoking and second-hand smoke
The Importance of Treatment
If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause the serious medical issues, such as:
- • Enlarging of the heart, which can lead to heart failure
- • Aneurysms in the arteries of the heart, brain, legs, intestines or spleen
- • Narrowing of the blood vessels in the kidney, leading to kidney failure
- • Hardening of the arteries, which can cause a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure
- • Blood vessels bursting in the eyes
Prevention
High blood pressure can be easily prevented in some cases. Below are some of the steps you can take to avoid hypertension:
- • Limit salt, fat and alcohol intake.
- • Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
- • Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
- • Quit smoking.
- • Reduce your stress.
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