Chronic hypertension risk factors

Hypertension Main page
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Causes
Classification Primary Hypertension Secondary Hypertension Hypertensive Emergency Hypertensive Urgency
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Risk Factors

Essential hypertension which is the more common form has several risk factors. Of most importance are -

• Increased salt intake in diet
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Increased alcohol intake
• Family history where parents are hypertensive
• High cholesterol diet
• Certain personality traits like in general people who are more commmonly impatient,suffer from high anxiety state and have hostile attitudes.

There is a debate over Hypertension to be more common among black population as compared to whites.It is seen to be more common though exact though there is no exact reason or mechanism for it.Currently, healthcare professionals identify it to be more common due to

• Increased salt intake and cholesterol diet
• Lower socioeconomic status/stress