Chronic hypertension risk factors
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Hypertension Main page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Established risk factors for essential hypertension include increased alcohol intake (more than 2 drinks per day), increased salt intake in diet (more than 2 gm per day), obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise. All these risk factor are reversible.
Established Risk Factors
- Increased alcohol intake (more than 2 drinks per day)
- Increased salt intake in diet (more than 2 gm per day)
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise
Other Less Established Risk Factors for Hypertension
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Genetic diseases
- High fructose(sugar)corn syrup
- Metabolic syndrome, a condition in which body develops insulin resistance due to obesity and has high blood pressure, sugar,cholesterol and increased waist circumference.
- Black race: Although more common among blacks, it is not clear if environmental factors (Increased salt intake, high cholesterol diet, lower socioeconomic status, stress) or race itself is the cause.
- Family history where parents are hypertensive
- Smoking is generally not considered an independent risk factor for hypertension, but is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- High cholesterol diet
- Anxiety disorders
- Type A personality. People who are more commmonly impatient and have hostile attitudes may be at risk.