Cardiovascular benefit of treating mild hypertension. Cardiovascular risk Hypertensipn LVH by echocardiography Hypertension risk factors heart disease mortality related Hypertdnsion blood Hypertensio and Hyperteension Stroke mortality Hypertension risk factors to blood pressure and age Additive Eating disorder triggers of Metabolism and energy levels factors on cardiovascular factoes at 5 years Blood pressure change and sodium reduction Weight loss-induced reduction in diastolic blood pressure Cardiovascular benefit of treating mild hypertension. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Smoking can damage the heart and blood vessels. However, the risk of high blood pressure is increasing for children and teens, possibly because more children and teens are living with overweight or obesity. Related Coverage. The top number ranges from to mm Hg and the bottom number is below not above 80 mm Hg.

Hypertension risk factors -

above the lowest quintile. Personal and family history. Family history of early cardiovascular disease was defined as an immediate family member being diagnosed with heart disease or stroke before the age of Risk factors.

Risk factors were selected a priori according to a predefined protocol and informed by clinical reasoning. Exercise was categorized as less than minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, vs. Fruit and vegetable consumption was categorized as fewer than five times per day, vs.

five or more times per day an indicator of diet quality. Respondents were overweight or obese if they had a body mass index BMI based on measured height and weight of The presence of diabetes was determined as described above.

Note 42 Cholesterol was categorized according to non-fasting non-high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol of 4. lower than 4. Note 43 These factors were summed into a risk score with values ranging from 0 no risk factors were present to 6 all six risk factors were present to determine whether the component risk factors were additive.

Descriptive statistics were used to examine the characteristics of the study population and the prevalence of hypertension. Two sets of logistic regression models were run separately for women and men, and relative risks RRs were estimated.

Model 1 estimated the association between the risk factors and hypertension, adjusting for other covariates. Model 2 estimated the association between the risk score and hypertension, adjusting for other covariates. Model 2 was also rerun, including an interaction term between age group and the risk score.

Note 30 Note 31 Note 32 Note 33 The data were analyzed with SAS 9. For this study, the prevalence estimates were taken from Table 1, and the RR e s were based on adjusted RR s from Table 2. For example, the PAF attributable to diabetes among men was calculated from the prevalence of 9.

Two sensitivity analyses were conducted. This allowed for comparability between the present study and others based on manual blood pressure readings. Second, the SBP threshold of mm Hg and the DBP threshold of 80 mm Hg were applied to the SBP and DBP components of the definition of hypertension, for them to be consistent with the recent blood pressure clinical guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.

Note 45 Under this revised definition, overall prevalence and the association between the risk factors or risk score and hypertension were examined. The population prevalence of hypertension among Canadians aged 20 to 79 was found to be significantly higher for men Men were slightly younger, on average, than women, and were more likely to be smokers, have cardiovascular disease, eat fruits and vegetables fewer than five times per day, be overweight or obese, have diabetes, and have non- HDL cholesterol at a level of 4.

However, women were more likely than men to engage in less than minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, have a family history of high blood pressure or early cardiovascular disease, or have CKD. Men had, on average, a higher average risk score 2.

After covariate adjustment, five out of six of the candidate risk factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of hypertension among women aged 20 to 79 Table 2 : being less physically active RR , 1.

Among men aged 20 to 79, being less physically active RR , 1. The proportion of cases of hypertension in the population attributable to each risk factor PAF was then estimated Table 2. The strength of association for many risk factors varied according to age group.

Among those aged 70 to 79, none of the individual risk factors were associated with hypertension in men, and only diabetes was significantly associated with hypertension in women Appendix Table 1. Furthermore, being overweight or obese was a risk factor for women predominantly at ages 40 to 69, whereas having CKD was a risk factor largely at ages 20 to For men, consuming fruits and vegetables fewer than five times per day was a risk factor at ages 40 to 59, while being less active and being overweight or obese were risk factors primarily at ages 60 to Having non- HDL cholesterol at a level of 4.

The risk score was also associated with systolic blood pressure SBP levels. Among the non-hypertensive population, mean SBP rose significantly with each unit increase in the risk score Figure 2. This gradient was not evident among those with a diagnosis of hypertension, mainly because most of these individuals were treated with anti-hypertensive medications results not shown.

In fact, none of the risk factors in the score were associated with hypertension control rates Appendix Table 2. Similarly, there was no impact on the association between the risk factors or risk score and hypertension results not shown.

In terms of risk factors, non- HDL cholesterol at a level of 4. Although the predicted prevalence of hypertension according to risk score was higher overall, a positive gradient similar to that found in Figure 1 was still present. In this study, nearly one-quarter of Canadians aged 20 to 79 were found to be hypertensive.

Engaging in less than minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, eating fruits and vegetables fewer than five times per day, being overweight or obese, having diabetes, and having CKD were independently associated with higher blood pressure levels and an increased risk of hypertension.

When these risk factors were combined into a composite risk score where the presence of each risk factor represented one point , a strong positive gradient was present for predicting hypertension.

It is important to note that being overweight or obese, consuming fruits and vegetables less often, being less active, and having diabetes were the leading risk factors contributing to the greatest attributable fraction of hypertension cases in the population. The fact that these risk factors were not associated with hypertension control rates reflects the very high rates of awareness and antihypertensive therapy use among patients with hypertension in this population.

These findings are consistent with, and extend, those of other reports, relating healthy lifestyle and behaviours to better blood pressure control. Note 11 Note 12 Note 13 Participation in moderate-intensity physical activity, Note 46 Note 47 consumption of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, Note 48 Note 49 Note 50 and maintenance of a healthy body weight Note 51 Note 52 Note 53 have all been described as lowering blood pressure.

In addition, counselling interventions promoting healthy behaviours such as physical activity, healthful diet and weight management are effective in reducing blood pressure in individuals who do not have hypertension or known cardiovascular risk factors.

Note 14 However, determining the independent effects of the individual components of a healthy lifestyle on blood pressure is challenging, as these risk factors are highly interrelated.

Many positive effects may be due to described physiological mechanisms. Note 11 Note 12 Additional benefits may be realized through a greater tendency to adhere to medical advice and treatment among individuals who engage in healthy lifestyles. In the present study, physical activity was a stronger risk factor for hypertension among women, whereas eating fruits and vegetables was more important for men.

The observed risk of hypertension in younger people is noteworthy because targeted interventions for these individuals may be particularly effective.

The associations between high blood pressure and having diabetes, having CKD , and exhibiting elevated non- HDL cholesterol are complex. Diabetes and hypertension commonly coexist. More than half of patients with diabetes also have hypertension, Note 54 and people with elevated blood pressure are nearly 2.

Note 55 Indeed, diabetes was the strongest risk factor associated with high blood pressure in the present analysis, conferring a twofold increased risk of hypertension overall, and the greatest risk was observed in younger individuals, even after accounting for possible differences in blood pressure thresholds i.

In contrast, CKD was associated with a greater RR of hypertension among women, independent of diabetes, whereas this was not the case for men.

The differences in risk between men and women may, in part, reflect the complex relationship between CKD and hypertension. For instance, the prevalence of high blood pressure among individuals with CKD varies according to the etiology of renal dysfunction, Note 56 between ethnicities, Note 57 Note 58 and according to various socioeconomic factors.

Note 58 Finally, elevated non- HDL cholesterol by itself was not significantly associated with high blood pressure. However, when incorporated into the risk score, it incrementally increased the risk of hypertension along with other risk factors.

The importance of isolated hypercholesterolemia in hypertension prediction is uncertain and warrants further investigation. Risk factors for hypertension are often modifiable. Most prevention efforts to date have focused on individual-level interventions promoting physical activity, Note 46 Note 47 healthy diet, Note 48 Note 49 Note 50 and weight loss.

Note 52 Note 53 However, achieving clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure may require large lifestyle changes, Note 14 which may be beyond what an average person is able to independently sustain.

Accordingly, public policy promoting the requisite conditions for healthy living e. There are many strengths to this study. This is the first population-based study conducted in Canada examining preventable risks associated with hypertension.

This study is also the first to quantify the PAF of preventable risks for hypertension. In addition to examining individual risk factors for high blood pressure, this study further demonstrates a strong additive effect associated with cumulative risk factors. This suggests that many cases of hypertension in Canada are largely preventable.

Data were drawn from a nationally representative sample of Canadians whose blood pressure was measured with an automated device in accordance with a standardized technique.

As well, all other clinical data used in the analysis were prospectively collected in keeping with systematic methodologies. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, often produces no symptoms, but it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions.

This article also explains how a person can monitor their blood pressure and discusses ways to keep it within a typical range. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels and how hard the heart has to work. Hypertension is blood pressure that is consistently higher than over 90 millimeters of mercury mm Hg.

The systolic reading of mm Hg refers to the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body. The diastolic reading of 80 mm Hg refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association AHA define blood pressure ranges as:. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke , heart attack , heart failure , and aneurysm. Managing blood pressure is vital for preserving health and reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions.

Almost half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure , but many may not know they have it. A person with hypertension may not notice any symptoms. Without detection, hypertension can damage the heart, blood vessels, and other organs, such as the kidneys.

If high blood pressure becomes a hypertensive crisis , a person may experience headaches and nosebleeds. Long-term hypertension can cause complications through atherosclerosis , where plaque develops on the walls of blood vessels, causing them to narrow.

This narrowing worsens hypertension because the heart must pump harder to circulate the blood. Regular blood pressure monitoring can help people avoid these more severe complications. Having high blood pressure for a short time can be a normal response to many situations.

Acute stress and intense exercise, for example, can briefly elevate blood pressure in an otherwise healthy person. For this reason, a diagnosis of hypertension requires several readings that show sustained high blood pressure over time.

The cause of hypertension is often not known. In many cases, it is the result of an underlying condition. High blood pressure that is not due to another condition or disease is known as primary or essential hypertension.

If an underlying condition is a cause of increased blood pressure, doctors call this secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension can result from multiple factors , including:. Chronic kidney disease CKD is a common cause of high blood pressure, as the kidneys no longer filter out fluid.

This excess fluid leads to hypertension. Hypertension can also cause CKD. Current guidelines recommend that all people, including those with hypertension, engage in at least minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week or 75 minutes per week of high-intensity exercise.

Studies show that strength, or resistance, training can also reduce blood pressure in hypertensive people. Avoiding or learning to manage stress can help a person control blood pressure.

People should avoid consuming alcohol and recreational drugs to cope with stress, as these can contribute to elevated blood pressure and the complications of hypertension. Smoking can also increase blood pressure. Avoiding or quitting smoking reduces the risk of hypertension, serious heart conditions, and other health issues.

People can use specific medications to treat hypertension. Doctors will often recommend a low dose at first. Antihypertensive medications will usually only have minor side effects.

Eventually, people with hypertension may need to combine two or more drugs to manage their blood pressure. The choice of medication depends on the person and any underlying medical conditions they may have.

Anyone taking antihypertensive medications should carefully read the labels of over-the-counter OTC drugs they may also take, such as decongestants. These OTC drugs can interact with the medications they are taking to lower their blood pressure.

Learn more about blood pressure medications here. High sodium consumption contributes to high blood pressure. The main source of sodium in the diet is salt.

The AHA recommends that people without hypertension consume less than 2, milligrams mg of sodium per day. This roughly equates to one teaspoon. People with hypertension should consume less than 1, mg of sodium per day to manage their condition.

The AHA recommends a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per day for males and one for females. A healthcare professional can help people reduce consumption if they find it difficult to moderate their alcohol intake.

People who have high blood pressure or people at high risk of developing it should reduce their intake of saturated fats in favor of unsaturated fats. Learn more about saturated and unsaturated fats here. Experts recommend that people with high blood pressure prioritize more heart-healthy foods, such as:.

The more you weigh the more blood flow you Hypretension to supply oxygen Hypertension risk factors nutrients to Hypertenison tissues. As the volume of blood circulated Hypertension risk factors your blood vessels increases, so does the pressure inside your arteries. Too much sodium in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, and also causes the arteries in your body to constrict. Both factors increase blood pressure. Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells.