High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common disease that occurs when the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be.
Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms of it. That’s why the condition has been dubbed a “silent killer.”
In rare cases, and if blood pressure reaches dangerous levels, a person may get headaches or more nosebleeds than normal, per the AHA.
Causes and Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure
Older Age
The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age; the older you are, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure. According to the AHA, blood vessels gradually lose their elasticity over time, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
The risk of prehypertension and high blood pressure has been increasing in recent years in young people too, including children and teens, possibly because of the rise in obesity in these populations, reports the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Race
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure is more common in Black American adults than in white, Asian, or Hispanic American adults.
Gender
Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, until age 64, per the AHA. However, after that age, women are more likely to have high blood pressure.
Family History
Having a family history of high blood pressure increases your risk, as the condition tends to run in families, reports the AHA.
Being Overweight
The more you weigh, the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Per the Mayo Clinic, when the volume of blood pumping through your blood vessels increases, the pressure on your artery walls also rises.
Lack of Physical Activity
People who are not active tend to have a higher heart rate and higher blood pressure than those who are physically active, according to the Mayo Clinic. Not exercising also increases the risk of being overweight.
Tobacco Use
When you smoke or chew tobacco, your blood pressure rises temporarily, partly from the effects of nicotine. Moreover, chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls, which can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Being exposed to secondhand smoke may also increase your blood pressure.
Alcohol Consumption
Over time, heavy alcohol use can damage the heart and lead to heart failure, stroke, and irregular heart rhythm. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. The AHA advises no more than two drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women. One drink equals 12 ounces (oz) of beer, 4 oz of wine, 1.5 oz of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz of 100-proof spirits.
Stress
Being under intense stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure, according to the AHA. Moreover, if you try to cope with stress by overeating, using tobacco, or drinking alcohol, all of these can contribute to high blood pressure.
Pregnancy
Being pregnant can cause an increase in blood pressure. According to the CDC, high blood pressure occurs in 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies in women ages 20 to 44.
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