The following can increase your chances of developing high blood pressure.
Age The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age; the older you are, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure. Blood vessels gradually lose their elasticity over time, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
Race High blood pressure is more common in Black American adults than in white, Asian, or Hispanic American adults.
This is most likely due to systemic issues, like access to healthy food, environmental exposure, and genetic susceptibility.
Gender Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, until age 64.
However, after that age, women are more likely to have high blood pressure.
Family History Having a family history of high blood pressure increases your risk, as the condition tends to run in families.
Weight Obesity stresses your blood vessels and can often lead to high blood pressure.
Physical Activity People who aren’t active tend to have a higher heart rate and higher blood pressure than those who are physically active.
Not exercising also increases the risk of being overweight.
Tobacco Use When you smoke or chew tobacco, your blood pressure rises temporarily, partly from the effects of nicotine. Moreover, chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls. This can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure.
Diet What you choose to eat (or not eat) can increase your risk of hypertension. For example, getting too much salt or too little potassium can raise blood pressure.
Alcohol Use Over time, heavy alcohol use can damage the heart and lead to heart failure, stroke, and irregular heart rhythm. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Stress Being under intense stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Moreover, if you try to cope with stress by overeating, using tobacco, or drinking alcohol, all of these can contribute to high blood pressure.
Chronic Conditions Having kidney disease, sleep apnea, or diabetes can affect blood pressure. When high blood pressure arises suddenly due to an identifiable condition, it’s called secondary hypertension.
Pregnancy Being pregnant can cause an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure occurs in 5 to 10 percent of pregnant people.