High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Uncontrollable Risk Factors: Part 2

Part 2, Age: An Uncontrollable Risk Factor of High Blood Pressure

It's scary but true. As you age, your risk for high blood pressure increases. High blood pressure is more commonly found in men than women through middle age. After middle age, women tend to develop high blood pressure following menopause. Often, diabetics have high blood pressure - they seem to go hand-in-hand. Diabetics are three times as likely to suffer a stroke. As a reminder, this is important because high blood pressure is a leading contributing factor to stroke. What's even scarier is that African-American children are fast becoming at risk for nighttime high blood pressure, even as young as 10 years of age. It's suspected the elevation is due to sodium intake (African-Americans retain salt). This sodium retention then raises blood pressure levels and the volume of fluid. This is alarming, too, because it means the child is at risk for cardiovascular disease. It's normal for blood pressure to decrease during the nighttime hours, so when children have increased blood pressure levels at night, there is justified cause for concern. Scary, too, are the results from studies that show babies born prematurely, between 29-32 weeks, are at a greater risk for high blood pressure as they grow older. Those older than 55 are more prone to high blood pressure. A whopping 90% of those 55 years of age or older who don't have high blood pressure before, will more than likely develop it then. People 65 years or older are twice as likely to suffer a stroke, which is high blood pressure is a major contributing factor. People 75 years or older are four times as likely to suffer a stroke, and people 85 years or older are eight times more likely to suffer a stroke.

The science behind it all

The reason the risk for high blood pressure increases as we age is because the collagen fibers in the arteries and arteriole walls increase over time. This process makes the blood vessels stiff. This reduces the elasticity and results in smaller section in the systole. The end result is elevated blood pressure. There are several types of high blood pressure: secondary hypertension, primary hypertension, gestational hypertension, white coat hypertension, and resistant hypertension. If you or a loved one develops high blood pressure, it's important to learn everything you can about it and you can best manage it.

The bottom line . . .

High blood pressure can strike anyone from newborns to senior citizens. Awareness is the key. Get your blood pressure readings taken regularly. Learn the lifestyle modifications that can make a difference in your life. High blood pressure cannot be cured. It's much easier to stop it before it starts. Prevent high blood pressure before it prevents you.

Look for Uncontrollable Risk Factor of High Blood Pressure, Race on 1/21/09.

Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00026 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061223092607.htm http://www.cardiologyonline.com/journal_articles/Preterm_birth.htm http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw62787