Question

What are risks considerations for hypertension ( including genetic risks)?

Answer 1

Hypertension also is known as high blood pressure.it can be defined as a condition in which abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries, which blood vessels carrying blood from the heart. The strength of the blood pushing against the artery walls called blood pressure. blood pressure(BP) is monitored in units of millimeters of mercury(mm of Hg). the top number in a B.P reading is the pressure when the heart pumps( systolic bp) and the bottom number represents the pressure between heartbeats(diastolic pressure). A normal BP in adults is 120/80 mm of Hg. Systolic pressure above 140 and diastolic above 90 is considered as Stage 1 hypertension. systolic above 160 and diastolic above 100 is called stage 2 hypertension.

Hypertension can be divided into two types, primary and secondary. primary hypertension is the chronic elevation of BP from an unknown cause, secondary hypertension has a known cause.

The Risk factors of hypertension can be categorized into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.

Modifiable Risk factors

1. Obesity or being overweight: too much bodyweight puts an extra strain on your heart, also increases the risk of coronary artery diseases.

2. Lack of physical activity: Physical activity is good for the heart and circulatory system in general. Lack of enough physical activity increases the risk of hypertension.

3. Unhealthy Diet (High Sodium): Including high salt in your diet increases the risk. Making good choices for a healthy diet that ensures adequate intake of potassium, magnesium, and calcium reduces the risk of hypertension.intake of caffeine must be limited. limit salt intake.

4. Drinking too much alcohol: regular &heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of heart diseases, stroke, etc.which can cause high BP.

5. Sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of developing high BP.

6. High cholesterol: high serum cholesterol levels also increase the risk of high BP. Atherosclerosis leads to high BP. a diet containing high saturated fat must be avoided.

7. Stress: Too much stress contributes to High BP. adequate rest and stress-relieving activities help to reduce high BP.

8. Smoking & Tobacco Use: tobacco use leads to a temporary increase in BP and leads to damaging arteries as well. cessation of smoking reducing the risk of high BP.

Non-modifiable risk factors

1. Genetics and Family history of Hypertension: if your parents or other close blood relatives have High BP then there is an increased chance that u will also get it. almost twice the risk of developing hypertension as those with no family history. hereditary or genetic factors contribute to a high risk of getting hypertension.

2.Age: As a person ages plaques build up in the arteries, and blood vessels become stiffer and less elastic. These blood vessel changes increase the amount of work required by the heart to maintain blood flow into circulation and that results in increased blood pressure.

3.Race and Ethnicity: African Americans have a greater risk of getting high BP compared to other racial backgrounds in the US.

4.Systemic illness: systemic illness like diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease increases the risk of hypertension.