The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) states that approximately 72 million people in the United States have high blood pressure (hypertension). Ninety to 95 percent of all adult cases, according to the Mayo Clinic, have no identifiable cause. Certain conditions, or risk factors, are known to increase your chances of developing this disease.
Your Age
As you age, your blood pressure has a tendency to rise, according to the NHLBI. The site states that more than half of those over the age of 60 suffer from high blood pressure. The American Heart Association (AHA) explains that men, up until the age of 45, are more likely than women to develop this condition. From the ages of 45 to 55 the risk factors are fairly equal. Once a woman goes through menopause however--usually over age 55--her risk factor is higher than a man's.
Race
The Mayo Clinic states that African Americans are more likely than Caucasians to develop high blood pressure, and to develop it at a younger age. They are also more likely to suffer from complications that accompany it, such as heart attack and stroke.
Being Overweight or Obese
The NHLBI defines overweight as having extra body weight from water, bone, muscle and/or fat, while obesity is excess weight due to large amounts of body fat. The more you weigh, the more blood your body requires to get the proper amounts of oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. This increases the pressure on the walls of your arteries, as the larger volume of blood circulates through your blood vessels.
Lack of Physical Activity
Those who are inactive tend to have a higher heart rate explains the Mayo Clinic. The higher your heart rate, the greater the force of blood against your artery walls. Not only is your heart working harder, but inactivity may also lead to being overweight or obese. The AHA recommends performing some type of moderate to vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes most days of the week. If you are overweight, you should speak with your doctor and devise a plan that is safe for you.
Smoking
Smoking increases your blood pressure temporarily, but quickly. The real damage occurs in the long run though. Over time the chemicals in the tobacco damage the lining of your artery walls; this causes them to become narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow through them.
Stress
High levels of stress can have a temporary yet dramatic impact on your blood pressure. The real damage may come from your choice of relaxation methods. If you light a cigarette, drink alcohol or increase your intake of food, you may only be increasing your blood pressure problems, as these are all risk factors in and of themselves.
