High blood pressure is common in men, especially those over the age of 50. High blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms and it can affect anyone, so it is a good idea to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Effects of hypertension
Hypertension can contribute to a number of different health conditions, including:
- Strokes
- Heart disease
- Kidney failure
- Dementia
Risk factors
There are a number of different risk factors that can increase the chances of suffering from hypertension; these include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Drinking heavily
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Having a diet high in ‘bad’ cholesterol (low density lipoproteins)
- Family history
Treating hypertension
Many people take medication to control their blood pressure and doctors encourage patients with a hypertension to change their lifestyles to incorporate a healthier diet and more frequent exercise.
Preventing hypertension
Making a few small changes can make a huge difference to your blood pressure; by taking a few small steps you can decrease the risk of suffering from hypertension; these include:
- Getting fit
- Eating well and reducing salt and saturated fats
- Cutting down on drinking
- Giving up smoking
- Reducing stress
- Losing weight (if you are overweight)