: Factors that Raise Blood Pressure
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(403 Words)
Approximately one in three Americans have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and two thirds of people over 65 have it. Even more disturbing, an alarming number of these do not have it under control. Hypertension can raise your risk of a number of serious diseases such as heart attack and stroke, so it is important to be aware of the factors that can raise it. These include the following.
Salt
Too much salt can raise blood pressure significantly. Most people do not realize how salty the food they eat is. Even food that doesn’t taste salty such as a bowl of soup that you feel like you have to add more salt to can have an entire day’s recommended dosage of salt! Many Americans eat three times or more the daily recommended amount of salt. Processed food, television dinners and restaurant meals are some of the guiltiest culprits. You should look at the amount of salt that is in the food that you eat and try to limit it to the recommended amount.
Age
As you age, you are more likely to get high blood pressure. Because age is obviously a factor beyond your control, it is important to stay aware of your blood pressure as you get older and to account for the other factors that you can control.
Inactivity
When you do not exercise or are inactive you may have higher blood pressure. Because exercise can lower it you may be missing out on a valuable opportunity by staying sedentary.
Heavier weight
If you are overweight or obese, your blood pressure may grow higher. Some people find that they are on blood pressure medicine after they gain weight that they would not have been on otherwise.
Diet
What you eat can also affect your blood pressure. Certain foods can help raise it and not having certain nutrients that can lower it like potassium can make it higher overall.
Stress
When you are constantly stressed or scared, your blood pressure may be higher. You should try to remain calm as much as possible. It is not good to always be worked up and your blood pressure may reflect this.
Your blood pressure can go up due to many factors and it is important to control those that you can. If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked in a while, do so and look to the above factors, which may raise it.
Updated On: 08/25/2010 Published On: 08/25/2010 Article ViewerClose
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