Is High Blood Pressure Hereditary?

High blood pressure has many risk factors, some of which you can control and some of which you cannot control. Understanding these factors can help you control your blood pressure.

Family History

High blood pressure is hereditary and tends to run in families. Research conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health found that blood pressure has a large genetic component.

Ethnicity

High blood pressure is more prevalent among African-Americans, and can develop at an earlier age than in whites.

Age

The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. In early middle age, high blood pressure is more prevalent in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure following menopause.

Weight

One of the risk factors you can control is being overweight. Being overweight increases the pressure on artery walls, so losing weight can help lower blood pressure.

Diet

Certain eating habits can lead to high blood pressure. Too much salt can cause your body to retain water, increasing your blood pressure. Too little potassium and too much alcohol can also raise blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.

References

• Mayo Clinic: High Blood Pressure Risk Factors
• American Heart Association
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health

Resources

• NEW GENES IMPLICATED IN HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE