Although no one knows exactly what causes high blood pressure, many of the risk factors are well known. According to the American Heart Association, these include:
- A family history of high blood pressure.
- Increasing age.
- An inactive lifestyle.
- A poor-quality diet, especially one that includes excess salt.
- Overweight and obesity.
- Drinking too much alcohol.
- Stress.
- Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.
But emerging evidences suggests that there are many other factors associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure.
These include:
- Vitamin D deficiency. Research presented at the American Heart Association's 63rd High Blood Pressure Conference in 2009 showed that women who are vitamin D-deficient in their premenopausal years have a tripled risk of developing high blood pressure in mid-life. University of Michigan researchers concluded that most people simply do not get enough vitamin D from sun exposure, foods such as fatty fish or fortified milk products, or dietary supplements. Many researchers suggest that the current recommended daily intake of 400-600 IU of vitamin D is woefully inadequate to prevent many conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency, and suggest that a daily intake of 1,000-5,000 IU may be more beneficial. If you're concerned about your level of vitamin D, a simple screening at your doctor's office can determine if your level is deficient or sub-optimal.
- A high-sugar diet. A study presented at the American Society of Nephrology's annual meeting in 2009 showed that people who consume more than 74 grams of fructose per day -- the equivalent of two and one-half sweetened soft drinks -- had an up to 87 percent increased risk of high blood pressure. A new American Heart Association scientific statement recommends that women should consume no more than 25 grams (about 100 calories) and that men should consume no more than 37.5 grams (about 150 calories) of added sugars per day. That equates to about six teaspoonfuls a day for women and nine for men. Average intake of added sugars per day in the United States is about 22.5 teaspoons per day.
- Social isolation. A 2010 study published in the journal Psychology and Aging showed that blood pressure significantly increased over four years in middle-aged people who rated themselves the loneliest compared to those who were most socially engaged.
- Air pollution. A study presented at the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention annual conference in 2010 showed that increased exposure to traffic pollution particles was associated with higher blood pressure.
You also may be an increased risk of high blood pressure if you have certain chronic medical conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea. So it's essential to receive regular screenings for these and other conditions that can elevate blood pressure and get appropriate medical treatment to bring them under control.
Also beware that certain medications can increase blood pressure, including:
- Appetite suppressants
- Some cold medications.
- Corticosteroids
- Migraine medications.
You may have heard that some forms of exercise -- especially weightlifting and other types of strength training -- can increase your risk of high blood pressure. Not true. Although exercise causes a temporary increase in blood pressure, its beneficial effects on your cardiovascular system -- including a lower resting blood pressure -- usually far outweigh any potential risks. If you already have high blood pressure, however, it's best to consult with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.
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