Causes & Risk Factors of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Aging

As grow older, we develop greater risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. With age, blood vessels lose flexibility which can contribute to increasing pressure in the system.

Family history

You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if your parents or siblings have had hypertension. You may also pass the risk factor to your own children. That's why it is important for everyone to get regular blood pressure checks done. You cannot control hereditary but you can take measures to lower other modifiable risk factors.

Too much alcohol

Alcohol consumed in moderation is ok but heavy and regular use of alcohol can increase blood pressure. It can also lead to stroke, produce irregular heartbeats and cause heart failure. High alcohol intake can contribute to high triglycerides, cancer, obesity, alcoholism, suicide and quote often accidents.

Eating a lot of sodium

Too much salt (sodium) in diet is a major cause of increased blood pressure in salt sensitive people. A high salt diet upsets the natural sodium balance of the body, causing fluid retention which increases the blood pressure.

Obesity

Obesity calls for a host of diseases and being overweight increases your chances of developing high blood pressure too.

Not exercising

A sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity and developing high blood pressure. Physical inactivity increases the chance of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Stress

Being under stressed situation can temporarily increase the blood pressure. People who remain under stress may tend to overeat or eat junk, put off physical activity, drink more alcohol and smoke - all this eventually leads to high blood pressure.

Smoking

Smoking also temporarily raises the blood pressure and increases risk of damaged arteries and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries.

If proper care is not taken, hypertension can lead to some serious diseases. Hence, you need to avoid all those things that can cause hypertension. One can stay away from the damages of hypertension with the help of a preventive health checkup such as the master health checkup by Indus Health Plus. It helps you understand the overall status of your body so that you can avoid future health complications. For further information, contact us by filling out the form below and our associates will get in touch with you.