Hypertension Risk Factors

As most people know, hypertension is a common health problem.

In the United States, approximately 32 percent of African-Americans and 23 percent of white
people and Mexican-Americans have hypertension.

Hypertension is more common as people grow older.
-As an example, among people over age 60, hypertension occurs in 65 percent of African-
American men, 80 percent of African-American women, 55 percent of white men, and 65% of
white women.

Unfortunately, many people's blood pressure is not well controlled.

-According to the same national survey, hypertension was in good control in only 25 percent of
African-Americans and whites and 14 percent of Mexican-Americans.

A variety of risk factors have been associated with essential hypertension:

-Hypertension tends to be both more common and more severe in blacks.

-Hypertension in maternal, paternal or both parents is independently associated with the development of hypertension over the course of adult life.

-Evidence for a relationship between sodium intake and essential hypertension continues to
mount. It is likely that increased salt intake plays a role in causing hypertension but cannot act
alone to cause it. If other risk factors are present, increased salt intake may make the
development of hypertension more likely.

-Multiple studies show a clear association between excess alcohol intake and the development of
hypertension.

-Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of hypertension, and weight
gain appears to be a main determinant of the rise in blood pressure (BP) that is commonly seen
with aging-High cholesterol may also associated with the development of hypertension. The role
of abnormal cholesterol occurs whether the patient is obese or not.

If you feel you may have one or more of these risk factors, please contact us or a physician of your choice to check up on your blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, it is important to keep a check on your blood pressure and keep it controlled.

As well, it is important to keep a check on other factors such as cholesterol and kidney function to help prevent or slow any complications from the hypertension.

If you need further information or need a physician to see after you hypertension, please contact us for an appointment. We have establshed a hypertension center of excellence to help you get a better handle on your hypertension.

Contact us at Gumtree Medical Clinic 88 Clark Boulevard Fairpark District Tupelo, MS
Phone 662-690-5675