Learn
about the risks factors of hypertension
The risks factors
of hypertension are
something everyone should know, especially now that there are many
people suffering from this. The
word hypertension can strike fear into the hearts of many.
It is more
commonly known as high blood pressure and it affects adults. The best
treatment for the condition is prevention. Therefore, when it comes to
hypertension, the best defense is knowledge.
There are two
types
of hypertension. The first is called essential hypertension and is the
one that affects about 90% of all patients with the condition. The
other is called secondary hypertension and results from another
condition such as renal (kidney) disease, abnormal adrenal gland
function and even sleep
loss. Pregnancy can cause the condition to
affect the mother and most times disappears after delivery of the child.
Essential
hypertension is the most common one and usually has no identifiable
medical cause. Many times, the condition is hereditary or is
related to
lifestyle, diet, alcohol abuse or a vitamin deficiency of some kind
(usually vitamin D). Aging has also been shown to be a one of the risks
factors of hypertension in the
development of high blood pressure.
Other risks can include prolonged
inactivity (sedentary behaviors), obesity (BMI over 25) and some
genetic mutations. Sometimes, the kidneys can over produce a material
and this is known to be another cause as well.
So
with all
these risks factors of hypertension, how can you help the prevention it?
Really a very
simple answer is in order.
1. Watch the
sodium (salt) intake. It raises the blood pressure.
2. Likewise,
watch the sugar intake. This can help alleviate the overproduction of
insulin.
3. Get enough
sleep. Not just sleep, but good sleep. Be careful with sedatives as
some may elevate the blood pressure.
 4.
Get active. Go to a gym, do some gardening, take a walk,
whatever you want. Just
move your body around. It helps with the circulation and to keep the
pressure down.
5. Do not abuse
alcoholic
beverages. Moderation is the key. Actually a glass of red wine a day is
believed to be healthful in some ways.
6.
Take a vitamin supplement and be sure you are getting your vitamins in
the proper daily amounts. Especially vitamin D since it is known to be
a factor.
7. Lose that
excess weight. Obesity doesn’t help your chances. Get it off now.
8. Smoking is bad
for hypertensive patients, so quitting the habit ASAP is a good idea.
9. Watch the
stress levels. Undue stress drives the blood pressure up, up and away.
Keep stress levels as low as possible.
Hypertension,
if left unchecked, can lead to heart attacks, strokes and many other
conditions.
Here are a few facts and statistics:
• From 1995 to
2005, hypertension deaths rose a staggering 52.5%.
• Approximately
74,000,000 Americans (in the US alone) over twenty years of age have
hypertension.
• Normal blood
pressure is about 120 / 80. If that second number goes above 95, get to
a doctor now.
• In patients
with hypertension, almost 40% don’t even know they have it, that makes
it a silent killer.
• Hypertension
and its residual effects kill between 55,000 and 75,000 Americans each
year.
•
Of white adults, 1 in 3 is affected. In black adults, the number rises
to 2 in 5. For Hispanics, it is 1 in 5 and for Asians, it’s 1 in 6.
If you suspect
that you may have this condition, see a doctor immediately.
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