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Genetics, age, gender, family history, and other factors can play a role in your hypertension risk. However, there are some risk factors you can control:
Medical conditions like diabetes — Conditions like diabetes are often tied to high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about six out of 10 people with diabetes also have hypertension. Keeping up with your preventive care is vital so you can immediately take action if your blood pressure or blood sugar is too high. If you've already been diagnosed with diabetes, you'll want to work closely with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to manage your condition. You can find a PCP using Provider Finder® or change your PCP in Blue Access for MembersSM.
An unhealthy diet that includes too much unhealthy fat or too many sugary foods can put you at risk for numerous severe health conditions. Certain foods can also negatively affect your blood pressure. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, you should limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day. That's equal to about one teaspoon of salt. Most Americans eat far more than that — consuming, on average, about 3,400 mg of sodium per day.
On the other hand, not getting enough potassium can raise your blood pressure. Bananas, potatoes, beans, and yogurt all contain a lot of potassium. You can also buy over-the-counter potassium supplements.
Physical inactivity — Studies show regular physical activity can help control hypertension. The CDC recommends 150 hours per week of moderate-intensity physical activity such as walking briskly, dancing, swimming, or even doing housework. Getting regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure in two ways: by keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy and by helping you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity — High blood pressure is linked to obesity and many other health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Studies show blood pressure rises as weight increases.
For more information, see Lowering Blood Pressure and Health Problems. You can also find resources for getting and staying healthy on Well onTarget.
You can learn more about how genetics affects your health on the CDC's Office of Public Health Genomics website.