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$Title{Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure}
$Subject{high blood pressure risk factor circulatory system hbp uncontrollable
controllable heredity race sex age weight alcohol sodium smoking oral
contraceptives repressed anger sedentary life-style pressures factors gender
overweight alcoholism salt the pill lifestyle lifestyles smoke contraceptive
contraception contraceptions}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure


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QUESTION:  For some strange reason, I don't understand all that I read and
hear about risk factors.  It would seem that some people are just made so they
can't help but develop high blood pressure (HBP), while others change their
ways and escape.  I am at an age where all of this is suddenly most important
to me, and I wonder if you could shed some light on the subject?  I know you
would be helping a lot of us who are in the same boat.

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ANSWER:  Risk factors are the result of statistical analysis of the elements
that are present in people that do show elevated blood pressures.  The more
risk factors present in your personal or family history, the greater the
chance is that you too will develop the condition.  However it is really not
that cut and dried, and some people with many risk factors present never do
develop any signs of blood pressure elevation while others that seem free of
identifiable factors, are found with higher than normal readings.  It becomes
a bit simpler to understand when you divide the factors into two kinds, those
that you can't change (also called "uncontrollable" risk factors) and those
that may be lessened by appropriate actions that you may take
("controllable").  In the uncontrollable category, there are four headings:
heredity, present when your parents or other close members of your family have
a history of high blood pressure; race, for reasons that are still poorly
understood, a higher percentage of Black North Americans develop HBP than
white North Americans:  sex, women before menopause are slightly less at risk
than men, after menopause they catch up quite rapidly; age, the older you are
the greater your chances of developing HBP.  It is in the controllable
category that you find the things you can do something about and where the
greatest educational emphasis is placed.  Here there are seven headings:

     weight:  the more your weight exceeds the normal for your height, the
greater the chance of HBP.  Lowering your weight to normal can actually reduce
your blood pressure levels;
     alcohol consumption:  yes I, too, have heard that a drink is good for the
circulation and digestion, but statistics prove that regular, excessive
drinking can increase blood pressure;
     sodium:  to some people who are sensitive to the amount of sodium they
consume (present in table salt and other foods and medicines), blood pressures
rise when salt is taken in excess of body needs;
     smoking:  the nicotine in tobacco smoke causes the small blood vessels in
the body to squeeze down (contract) which results in increased blood pressure
levels;
     oral contraceptives:  some women are sensitive to this medication which
results in their developing HBP.  Smoking and birth control pills together
make for a very high risk factor;
     repressed anger:  people who hold a lot of anger inside and are
constantly frustrated with their situation tend to have more heart and blood
pressure problems;
     sedentary life-style:  when the heart, blood vessels and muscles are not
exposed to regular exercise, they lose their tone, and HBP may result.  In
addition lack of activity contributes to weight gain.

     With all the indications in the "controllable" category, it is easy to
understand how some people manage to overcome their tendency to develop HBP
and improve their odds.  The pay off is not only a reduction in heart
problems, and an increased life span, but also a life more than a mere
existence, enjoyable, rewarding and fun to live.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.