Remarkably, 1 in 3 people in the west are likely to have high blood pressure; even more remarkably, most people who develop this condition do not even know that they have it, and fail to seek medical attention early enough to prevent the disease from developing further. Anyone, including the very young, can develop high blood pressure simply from making the wrong lifestyle choices. Here are the top 8 high blood pressure risk factors to avoid:
1. Age
Although anyone of any age could develop high blood pressure, age is still one of the major predisposing factors to high blood pressure. Men in particular are more likely to develop high blood pressure from the age of 45 while women are more prone to this condition from the age of 65. It is important, though, for everyone to take preventive measures such as exercise and proper nutrition from as early as possible.
2. Gender
Recent studies have shown that, men have greater chances of developing high-blood pressure than women. As much as this is true, women still need to watch their diet and lifestyle.
3. Genetics
If there is a history of high blood pressure in your family, then you are much more likely to develop it at some point in life. This is not a hard and fast rule, though, so you don’t have to start panicking just yet. As long as you take the proper steps to prevent high blood pressure, your chances of developing this condition solely due to genetics, will be minimized.
4. Extra Weight
It has been proven that obesity can be a leading cause of high-blood pressure, so that extra fat around your hip and thigh, and belly has got to go.
5. Salt Sensitivity
Excess salt intake causes the body to retain more water in order to “clean” the system through sweat and urine. This process is capable of causing blood pressure to increase and is more pronounced in people with a high level of salt insensitivity.
6. Alcohol Consumption
By now, the many demerits of alcohol have been well documented and you must be very aware of just how bad excessive amounts of alcohol can be for your health. But even in relatively moderate amounts, alcohol consumption still poses a risk to health and to blood pressure in particular. Studies have found that just 3 glasses of alcohol, taken at a go, are enough to raise blood pressure but while this effect does not last, long term alcohol use and binge drinking will lead to a long term increase in blood pressure.
7. Stressful Lifestyle
Stressful situations cause a temporal increase in blood pressure due to the fact that under such circumstances, the body secretes hormones which cause heart rate to go up significantly. While there is some evidence to suggest that if this process occurs repeatedly over a long period of time, it could lead to long term high blood pressure, it is not clear if this is as a direct result of stress itself or of the behaviors associated with stress.
8. Medication
You might find it hard to believe that this could actually happen in today’s world of scientific advancement, but unfortunately, quite a lot of medication (both prescription and over the counter drugs), contain chemicals which could contribute to the development of high blood pressure. Always make sure to consult your doctor before taking any medication of any sort.
In general, a healthy lifestyle is sufficient to prevent the onset of high blood pressure, so remember to eat healthy and avoid excess amounts of salt, get some regular exercise, and of course have regular consultations with your doctor especially as you grow older.
______________________________________________________________
WhatsApp number: +971565830067(Just send us code 884 and we will get back to you ASAP)
Contact Us: Click here to send us your details or fill in the form below.
You can get in touch with us 24/7 and one of our experts will not only give you a free consultation but also help you pick out an appropriate male or female personal trainer to meet your needs. One-on-one personal training lessons are available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and RAK.
______________________________________________________________