What is high blood pressure?

Age

The older you are the higher your risk of having high blood pressure.

Family history

If you have close family members with hypertension, your chances of developing it are significantly higher. An international scientific study identified eight common genetic differences that may increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Temperature

A study that monitored 8,801 participants over the age of 65 found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure values differed significantly across the year and according to the distribution of outdoor temperature. Blood pressure was lower when it got warmer, and rose when it got colder.

Ethnic background

Evidence indicates that people with African or South Asian ancestry have a higher risk of developing hypertension, compared to people with predominantly Caucasian or Amerindian (indigenous of the Americas) ancestries.

Obesity and overweight

Both overweight and obese people are more likely to develop high blood pressure, compared to people of normal weight.

Some aspects of gender

In general, high blood pressure is more common among adult men than adult women. However, after the age of 60 years, both men and women are equally susceptible.

Physical inactivity

Lack of exercise, as well as having a sedentary lifestyle, raises the risk of hypertension.

Smoking

Smoking causes the blood vessels to narrow, resulting in higher blood pressure. Smoking also reduces the blood's oxygen content so the heart has to pump faster in order to compensate, causing a rise in blood pressure.

Alcohol intake

People who drink regularly have higher systolic blood pressure than people who do not, according to researchers. They found that systolic blood pressure levels are about 7 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) higher in people who drink frequently than in people who do not drink.

High salt intake

Researchers reported that societies, where people do not eat much salt, have lower blood pressures than places where people eat a lot of salt.

High-fat diet

Many health professionals say that a diet high in fat leads to a raised high blood pressure risk. However, most dietitians stress that the problem is not how much fat is consumed, but rather what type of fats. Fats sourced from plants such as avocados, nuts, olive oil, and omega oils are good for you. Saturated fats, which are common in animal-sourced foods, as well as trans fats, are bad for you.

Mental stress

Various studies have offered compelling evidence that mental stress, especially over the long term, can have a serious impact on blood pressure. One study suggested that the way that air traffic controllers handle stress can affect whether they are at risk of developing high blood pressure later in life.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing hypertension. Among people with type 1 diabetes, high blood sugar is a risk factor for incident hypertension - effective and consistent blood sugar control, with insulin, reduces the long-term risk of developing hypertension. People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of hypertension due to high blood sugar, as well as other factors, such as overweight and obesity, certain medications, and some cardiovascular diseases.

Psoriasis

A study that followed 78,000 women for 14 years found that having psoriasis was linked to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes. Psoriasis is an immune system condition that appears on the skin in the form of thick, red scaly patches.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing hypertension than women of the same age who are not pregnant. It is the most common medical problem encountered during pregnancy, complicating 2 to 3 percent of all pregnancies.

Signs and symptoms

Most people with high blood pressure will not experience any symptoms. It is often known as the "silent killer" for this reason.

However, once blood pressure reaches about 180/110 mmHg, it is considered a medical emergency is known as a hypertensive crisis. At this stage, symptoms will show, including:

• a headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• blurred or double vision
• nosebleeds
• palpitations, or irregular or forceful beating of the heart
• breathlessness

People who are diagnosed with high blood pressure should have their blood pressure checked frequently. Even if yours is normal, you should have it checked at least once every five years, and more often if you have any contributory factors.

Complications

If the hypertension is not treated or controlled the excessive pressure on the artery walls can lead to damage to the blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), as well as vital organs. The extent of damage depends on two factors; the severity of hypertension and how long it goes on for untreated.

Below is a list of some of the possible complications of high blood pressure:

• stroke
• heart attack and heart failure
• blood clots
• an aneurysm
• kidney disease
• thickened, narrow, or torn blood vessels in the eyes
• metabolic syndrome
• brain function and memory problems