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2 min read

Reducing High Blood Pressure Risk

High blood pressure is one of the most common health issues plaguing Americans today. According to the CDC, 47% of American adult males and 43 percent of adult women have high blood pressure (also referred to as hypertension).

Unfortunately, only 24% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure under control. This has led to high blood pressure being either a primary or contributing cause to the deaths of almost 500,000 U.S. adults in 2018 alone. There are things that you can do to manage your high blood pressure risk.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

There are two types of high blood pressure: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension has no real cause. It’s something that simply develops over time. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition or the use of certain medications. These conditions can include:

  1. Adrenal gland tumors

  2. Blood vessel issues

  3. Kidney conditions

  4. Sleep apnea

  5. Thyroid issues

High blood pressure can also be caused by various medications, such as cold medicines or birth control pills.

What Are the Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure?

There are many risk factors for high blood pressure. These include a family history of high blood pressure, age, race, weight, tobacco use, lack of physical activity, lack of potassium, overconsumption of alcohol, too much sodium, and stress.

What Are Health Risks Resulting From High Blood Pressure?

If you have high blood pressure, you could be at greater risk for the following:

  1. Aneurysm

  2. Dementia

  3. Heart attack

  4. Heart failure

  5. Metabolic syndrome

  6. Stroke

  7. Weak blood vessels

How Can You Reduce Your High Blood Pressure Risk?

Californians with high blood pressure or at-risk of high blood pressure, can take steps to improve their health.

These include:

  1. Controlling cholesterol levels

  2. Drinking alcohol only in moderation

  3. Exercising regularly

  4. Maintaining a healthy diet

  5. Maintaining a healthy weight

  6. Managing stress

  7. Quit smoking

For more advice on how to manage high blood pressure or for California health tips in general, continue visiting us at The Benefits Store.

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