Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It is frequently called the silent killer, because people can be completely unaware of this condition. Getting control of blood pressure is an important part of aging gracefully, because many chronic diseases can be avoided if hypertension can be prevented.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for hypertension include obesity, age, race and gender. According to the National Institute on Aging, men are more likely than women to be hypertensive before the age 55. This difference goes away after women reach menopause.
Age
According to the National Institute on Aging, more than half of Americans over age 60 have high blood pressure. The likelihood of hypertension increases with age. Roughly three-quarters of people over 70 are hypertensive.
Lifestyle
While patients cannot control their age or their gender, they can make positive lifestyle changes that affect hypertension. Eating less sodium and getting aerobic exercise go a long way in minimizing this problem.
