High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Uncontrollable Risk Factors: Overview Part 1

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This four-part series concentrates on three uncontrollable risk factors of high blood pressure: age, race, and family history. This overview will include facts and statistics about high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. These facts don't fall into any particular order.

In 2002, high blood pressure, or hypertension, was the cause of 277,000 deaths in America.

In 2003, 35 million office visits were for high blood pressure concerns. In 2006, costs to treat high blood pressure surpassed 63.5 billion dollars.

High blood pressure contributes to stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, heart disease, and death.

It's important to get your blood pressure taken on a regular basis, especially if you are at risk for the diseases listed above - those medical conditions that are associated with high blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined with two numbers: the top number is the systolic number and the bottom number is the diastolic number. The systolic number describes pressure as the heart beats and the diastolic number describes pressure as the heart rests.

More than 28% of adults in America have prehypertension (120-139mmHg/80-89mmHg).

Healthy, normal blood pressure is 120 mmHg/80 mmHg.

One in every three Americans has high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is sometimes called the "Silent Killer." That explains why 1/3 of those with high blood pressure are unaware they have it. There are no advanced symptoms of high blood pressure. Regular blood pressure tests are recommended. Once high blood pressure progresses, dizziness, headaches, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, sweating, and vision interruptions can occur.

The forecast isn't any better - it's predicted 90% of middle-aged adults will eventually have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure isn't contagious; although statistics show if high blood pressure runs in the family, you will most likely develop it, too. High blood pressure can be triggered by competition, emotion, fair, nervousness, stress, and worry. It's important to find ways to relax and avoid the onset of high blood pressure. An interesting note: African-Americans who live in America are the most prone ethnicity group in the entire world to develop high blood pressure.

Men and women are at the same risk for high blood pressure until the age of 55, then women lead the risk category.

When a person develops high blood pressure, diabetes is usually not far behind. More than 73% of all diabetics also live with high blood pressure. There is hypertension, primary hypertension, secondary hypertension, prehypertension, malignant hypertension, white coat hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, resistant hypertension, and gestational hypertension.

High blood pressure can be managed with proper diet. Avoid high-cholesterol and high-fat foods, and caffeinated beverages. Add fiber, protein, and salt-free foods to daily menus. Limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking are also suggested.

High blood pressure can't be cured, but it can be managed and controlled in such a way that you can live your life the way you want to with few lifestyle modifications.

Look for Uncontrollable Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure: Age, on 1/15/09.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2114

http://www.benicar.com/pt_ht_management/ht_facts.asp?ref=1001011101#facts

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/h/hypertension/stats.htm