As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to health conditions. One of these issues is high blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure makes the heart work harder than normal, and is the culprit of numerous health concerns, including heart failure and the hardening of the arteries. 

Here, Tom Rivers' independent living experts, Visiting Angels, discuss some of the most common causes of hypertension:

Causes

While the exact causes of high blood pressure are unknown, there are numerous factors that heavily contribute to this disorder. Some of these include:

• Stress
• Aging
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Obesity
• A family history of high blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Particular blood vessel defects
• Kidney problems
• Excessive salt in your diet
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain types of medication, including cold remedies, birth control, and over-the-counter pain relievers
• Cocaine and amphetamines

Essential Hypertension

In as many as 95% of reported high blood pressure cases in America, the underlying cause cannot be properly determined. This disorder is called essential hypertension, and still remains somewhat of a mystery to the medical community—but it is known to be heavily influenced by a poor diet and lifestyle.

Who is Most at Risk?

• Smokers
• Pregnant women
• Folks who are overweight or obese
• People over the age of 35
• African Americans
• People who have a family history of high blood pressure
• The senior care professionals at Visiting Angels want to ensure the health and happiness of their clients. In addition to offering home care and respite care, they also provide companionship and meal prep services to their clients.

To learn more about the elderly care, Alzheimer care, and geriatric care that Visiting Angels of Toms River provides, call (732) 240-1050 today.