Lesson 3 - High Risk Factors

Back to Hypertension Channel

Okay, so here's the problem: EVERYONE is at risk for essential hypertension. Often referred to as "the silent killer," high blood pressure is a condition that effects as many as 50 million — or one in four — adult Americans. Why, you ask? Well, that's another problem — the cause of over 90% of hypertension cases is unknown. However, let's concentrate on what we do know: As we've discussed throughout the course, both genetics and lifestyle choices play roles in the likelihood of developing this condition. Furthermore, certain demographic groups are more susceptible. With this limited information in hand, all we can do is try to live the most heart-healthy life we can in the attempt to keep the condition at bay and/or under control. In the meantime, here are the straight facts:

High normal blood pressure
As you may recall from the last lesson, a systolic blood pressure between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or a diastolic pressure between 85 and 89 mm Hg, places you in the "high normal" category for adults. If your pressure tends to be in this range, you are more likely to develop hypertension than those in the "normal" category are. If your blood pressure lies within the high normal category, it is all the more important that you monitor your diet and exercise regimens, and have your pressure tested on a regular basis.

Men vs. women
From around age 20 to 50, men have a higher rate of hypertension than women do. However, as the two groups age, the roles are reversed. As women approach menopause, they switch places with their aging counterparts to become the leader in hypertension cases. Over 75% of women versus 64% of men aged 75 and over are affected by the condition. Therefore, although there is a higher rate of hypertension among older females, both groups are more likely to develop the condition as they continue to age.

Age 65 and up
More than half of all Americans over age 65 have hypertension. Although your arteries and other blood vessels often lose elasticity, and may become thicker or stiffer as you grow older, hypertension is not a normal part of healthy aging. Americans in general tend to take in more salt than people do in other countries, and we tend to become more sedentary and gain weight with age. These behavior characteristics combine with many others to produce such a startling statistic.

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