High Blood Pressure Monitors

Causes of High Blood Pressure

The cause of high blood pressure is largely unknown, although there are certain risk factors that increase an individual’s chance for developing high blood pressure:

Heredity
Race (African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure)
Males (men have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure than women until age 55. However, at over the age of 75, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure than men).
Sodium sensitivity (salt)
Obesity and overweight
Heavy alcohol consumption
Sedentary lifestyle
Diabetics or individuals with gout or kidney disease
Heredity (individuals whose parents had/have high blood pressure are more at risk)
Age (the older people get, the more prone to high blood pressure)
Some medications (always tell your doctor about every medication you are taking – some medications increase blood pressure, others may interfere with the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs)

Treating High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, there is a great deal you can do to reduce it. You and your doctor can determine the most effective treatment for you. Treatment may include a low-fat, low-salt diet, losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and getting more exercise. In addition, many medications can be used to reduce and control your high blood pressure. With effective monitoring and treatment, you can help control your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, kidney and heart failure and heart attack.