High Blood Pressure Risk Factors - Research Paper Example

? Number] High Blood Pressure Risk Factors Introduction: High blood pressure can usually be known as a silent killer as it has no symptoms. Untreated blood pressure issues usually increase with age and some other factors. Such measures are particularly important for those who have risk factors that cause blood pressure.Managing blood pressure is one of the most important things that anyone can do to decrease the risk of stroke and heart diseases as most patients of high blood pressure face severe heart problems and heart diseases (Sheps 33). Medical science has discovered many risk factors of high blood pressure to make it easier for us to avoid it. These risk factors are those factors that are seen as an individual’s risk of developing high blood pressure issues. Medical science has figured out these risk factors to help people stay away from this hazardous disease. These factors help people to take extra care as once a person knows he has the risk of developing a medical problem; he will stay away from it (Gregson 14). The essay aims to discuss the major risks factors for high blood pressure with the intention of allowing readers a quick glimpse of the issues that might cause them suffering from high blood pressure problem. The information strives to assist people in maintaining healthy life style while preventing the potential dangers and harms of their health Background: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, has been one of the most common diseases during the past decade. Over one billion people around the world suffer from high blood pressure, of which 20-30% does not even know it. There are two types of high blood pressure: primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is when doctors do not know the exact cause, yet the causes are a combination of complex genetic, environmental and other factors. Secondary hypertension is what is caused by the underlying medical condition or any medications that have an effect on the blood pressure (Divine 14). To avoid the high blood pressure, it is very important to look into the risk factors and overcome them. Risk factors: The first and the most important factor, which has been seen as a risk factor for high blood pressure, is age. Age is an important factor that increases the risk of blood pressure. As people get older, they are likely to develop high blood pressure issues. I have observed many aged people having high blood pressure issues, this was because they never realised the importance of prevention in their childhood. Today, thanks to medical advancements we know that age is a risk factor for high blood pressure and measures should be taken from now to prevent it. However, from the age of 18, there should be regular check-ups and blood pressure measures as it is the age when it starts developing (Gregson 14). In the middle age, high blood pressure is usually the issue faced by men, and women start facing these issues in a later age. Moreover, the fact behind age being a risk factor is that as we age, our blood vessels lose their flexibility which can cause increasing pressure throughout the system. Thus, with age we also develop the risk of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Recently, it has been observed that hypertension is becoming common in teenagers and children unlike a few years ago when it was an issue that developed after the age of 40. Students and youngsters have tensions and issues that lead to high blood pressure issues, and surprisingly they do not even know it until it is checked. There can be other factors because of which the risk factor of high blood pressure rises amongst these youngsters. However, 90% of the people aged above 40 have high blood pressure (Ronzio 123). Secondly, race and ethnicity are also a factor that causes risk for high blood pressure. Medical statistics and studies show that blood pressure issues and heart problems are usually more common in blacks than whites (Gupta 24). Blacks may suffer from heart diseases and complications at an early age. More than 40% of blacks suffer from hypertension and 40% of total deaths in this racial group are because of high blood pressure and the severe complications such as premature deaths from heart attacks or kidney failure. Research is inconclusive whether this is the issue only in African-Americans or is common with the African natives as well (Fahey et al. 43). Keeping in mind what the facts prove, blacks should be more careful and should make sure they are not under the other risk factors (Sheps 33). Just as many other medical issues, high blood pressure tends to run in families and thus family history is one of the risk factors for high blood pressure. A person having a family history of high blood pressure is at a higher risk than anyone who does not have any family history of high blood pressure. Height, hair, complexion or eye colours are not the only features that run in families – so can high blood pressure. If parents or close relatives have high blood pressure, then children are also likely to adopt it, and then further the next generation can develop it. This is why it is important to have regular check-ups, even for children especially if high blood pressure is hereditary. However, no-one can control heredity, but there surely can be preventions to decrease the risk factors by implementing healthy lifestyles. Lifestyle changes can help in decreasing the risk of high blood pressure to a great extent (Gregson 14). Next, obesity can cause a higher risk of high blood pressure in patients. More than one third of high blood pressure patients are overweight. Obesity tends to double the risk of hypertension. Even children who are overweight can face severe issues when they reach adulthood. Our modern ways of living lives show that obesity is a very common issue faced by many youngsters and even children. The fact states that the excess weight can increase the strain on the heart and raises blood cholesterol. Managing weight can help to overcome many of the medical problems, high blood pressure being one of them (Moore27). Also the lack of physical activity and exercise can increase the risk of high blood pressure. The modern lifestyle lacks physical exercise in everyday routine; this is one of the major reasons why high blood pressure along with other health problems attacks the modern generation. Physical activity is always good for the heart and the circulatory system. An inactive life leads to a weak heart, obesity and poor exercise tolerance; all of which results in high blood pressure (Kowalski 6). Smoking, not surprisingly, is the most important risk factor that increases the chances of developing high blood pressure. Smoking is a very powerful factor for many health problems including high blood pressure. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of the artery walls which can cause the arteries to narrow, thus increasing blood pressure. The best thing one can do to avoid general medical issues is to quit smoking, as enforced by the doctors all around the world. Smoking has also become much common in youngsters as a style statement or a drug that helps to stay away from tensions; this is why the fact states that high blood pressure is a common problem in youngsters nowadays (Sheps 33). A poor diet can also be a risk factor for high blood pressure, especially a diet that includes too much salt. The sodium in the salt can cause the body to retain fluid, which can increase blood pressure. A healthy diet can help you stay away from a lot of medical issues. To retain the level of sodium in the body, it is important to take potassium. Potassium balances the amount of sodium in the cells and in the blood. Too little vitamin D can also be a risk factor for high blood pressure as it affects a particular enzyme in the kidney that affects blood pressure (Rhoden and Schein 174). Also, too much intake of alcohol can increase the blood pressure dramatically. It can cause heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and many other medical problems. Taking two to three drinks at a time can cause the body to release hormones that increase the blood flow and heart rate, resulting in temporary raise in blood pressure. Alcohol consumption should be in moderation rather regular, especially amongst youngsters who match up with other risk factors as well (Gregson 14). Stress can also cause high blood pressure temporarily as people under stress tend to overeat, drink, misuse drugs or limit their physical activity. However, the way every person deals with stress matters a lot. A person who is internally weak has a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than a person who is mentally strong and can deal with stress (Ronzio 123). Lastly, sleep apnoea is also a major risk factor that can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The relationship between high blood pressure and sleep pain was thought to be due to obesity, but recently it has been found that sleep pain causes high blood pressure regardless of weight. Other risk factors may include the use of certain medical drugs that increase blood pressure. Kidney problems can also end up in blood pressure issues as the kidneys are very important regulators for blood pressure. For women, pregnancy can cause high blood pressure as well (Sheps 33). Conclusion: It is very important to control blood pressure as it leads to many severe diseases. All the risk factors are in some way related to the facts and statistics that the medical science has shown. The statistics show that in past decade there are many teenagers who are suffering from high blood pressure; this is because of the smoking habits in teenagers, drinking, family history, lack of physical activity and a less nutritious diet (Ronzio 123). Any teenager who is exposed to more than one of these risk factors can face severe blood pressure issues. The most practical ways to avoid these risk factors are the change of lifestyle as it is the best way to overcome all these issues (Gupta 24), regular check-ups, a nutritious diet, physical exercise, less use of tobacco and alcohol and controlling weight can lead to decrease the chances of high blood pressure. The risk factors are ways in which blood pressure can be controlled and avoided in the society. A healthy and strong society is thus, what will contribute towards a successful future. Works Cited Divine, Jon G. Action Plan for High Blood Pressure. UK: Human Kinetics, 2005. Print. Fahey, Tom, Deirdre Murphy, and Julian Tudor Hart. High Blood Pressure. UK: Class Publishing Ltd, 2004. Print. Gregson, Susan R. High Blood Pressure. NY: Capstone Press, 2001. Print. Gupta, Krishan. High Blood Pressure: Causes Prevention & Treatment. London: Orient Paperbacks, n.d. Print. Kowalski, Robert E. The Blood Pressure Cure: 8 Weeks to Lower Blood Pressure Without Prescription Drugs. NY: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print. Moore, Richard D. The High Blood Pressure Solution: A Scientifically Proven Program for Preventing Strokes and Heart Disease. NJ: Inner Traditions * Bear & Company, 2001. Print. Rhoden, Chad A., and Sarah Wiley Schein. Bringing Down High Blood Pressure. London: Government Institutes, 2010. Print. Ronzio, Robert A. The Encyclopaedia of Nutrition and Good Health. NJ: InfoBase Publishing, 2003. Print. Sheps, Sheldon G. Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure. NY: Orient Paperbacks, 2005. Print. 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