What Are Risk Factors?
Risk factors are traits and lifestyle habits that increase the risk of disease. Some risk factors for high blood pressure are inherited. Others can be controlled by making healthier choices. Either way, it's important to talk to your doctor to understand your risks so you can manage them better.
Two Types of Risk Factors: Controllable and Uncontrollable
You can't change risk factors related to heredity or natural processes. These include:
- race: African Americans tend to develop high blood pressure more often than whites. The disease usually comes on earlier and can be more severe
- heredity: You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if your parents or other close blood relatives have it
- age: As you get older, your chance for developing high blood pressure increases
But there are risk factors that you can change to lower your blood pressure. Some of these include:
- obesity
- eating too much salt
- lack of exercise
Overweight and Obesity
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have higher blood pressure than those who are not. Obesity can also increase risk for cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attack.
You can learn if you are overweight or obese by determining your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight in adults. It's your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared (kg/m2). For example, a person who's 5'4” and weighs 140 pounds has a BMI of 24.0 kg/m2.
Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2. A BMI of about 25 kg/m2 is equal to about 10% over ideal body weight.
Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 or greater, or about 30 pounds or more overweight.
Make sure you talk to your doctor and find out your BMI. It's important to get your weight under control so you can better manage your high blood pressure.
Getting to a Healthy Weight
First, you need to become more active and reduce the calories you eat. But don't worry! There are simple things you can do to get started. Try spending less time watching TV or going on the internet. Start walking, biking, dancing, playing tennis and doing other activities you enjoy that raise your heart rate. Always talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
When it comes to eating, take smaller-sized portions of food. Limit the amount of fats you eat. And, reduce the number of high-calorie beverages you drink, such as regular soda.
Losing excess weight will help you to reduce your blood pressure. Your doctor can help you develop a realistic weight loss plan.
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Diabetes and high blood pressure are frequently related. In fact, as many as two out of three adults with diabetes have high blood pressure.
Having both diabetes and high blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and eye and kidney disease. People with high blood pressure are two and a half times more likely to develop diabetes within 5 years. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder and your risk for diabetes and other problems increases.
If you have diabetes, it's even more important to keep your blood pressure under control. Medical experts recommend that people with diabetes maintain a lower blood-pressure goal than the general public—less than 130/80 mmHg or lower is advised.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly by a health care professional. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about what your blood-pressure numbers should be.
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