Causes of Hypertension (Cont.)

Are These Causes -- or Risk Factors for Hypertension?

While not specific hypertension causes, there are certain traits that increase a person's chance of developing high blood pressure. These factors are known as hypertension risk factors and include:
 
  • Being overweight
  • Having diabetes
  • Being a male over the age of 45 (or a female over 55)
  • Being of African American descent
  • Eating a lot of salty foods.
     
Although more men have hypertension than women, women do increase their risk of developing the condition if they take birth control pills.
 

What Makes It Worse?

Hypertension can be made worse by different things. A few factors that can make hypertension worse include:
 
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Prolonged and poorly managed stress
  • A diet high in fat and/or salt
  • A lack of exercise.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD