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The Curious Bag
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Blood pressure is the measurement of the effect of blood moving through the veins. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults. While the exact cause of high blood pressure is a mystery, several factors may contribute to it.
Heredity
The risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) increases if there is a family history of it, according to the The National Institutes of Health.
Age and Race
Increasing age is a risk factor for high blood pressure. The NIH says that high blood pressure is more common in African Americans than in Caucasians.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle choices can increase risk of secondary hypertension, which is high blood pressure that results from a condition, habit or drug. Smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of salt and inactivity can increase risk.
Diseases
Diseases associated with an increased risk for developing hypertension include kidney diseases, arteriosclerosis and diabetes.
Drugs
The NIH says taking birth control pills, diet pills, cold medications, steroids or migraine medications increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Treatment
The NIH suggests altering lifestyle choices to reduce risk factors. If high blood pressure does not respond to behavior modification, medication may be necessary.
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