While having high blood pressure has something to do with genetics, just because your parents have it, does not mean that you will have it as well, unless you have inherited a specific disease that causes high blood pressure. Rather, if your parents have it, it is important that you keep a close eye on your blood pressure. There is no such thing as blood pressure by age – the range is always the same. But you do have to start watching yours from a younger age should your parents have problems.
The Genetics of High Blood Pressure:
High blood pressure is caused a number of factors, some of which are only activated once certain conditions occur. This is why some people want to know about high blood pressure by age, because age is one of those conditions. For instance, babies who were born prematurely, young people who were obese during adolescence, and young adults who consume too much alcohol, are at even greater risk, particularly if their parents have it as well.
Sometimes, high blood pressure starts in the very young. One of the reasons for this is that more and more young people are overweight or obese. So much so, in fact, that there are now tests for high blood pressure by age and, if certain children do appear to have developed hypertension or be in the early stages thereof, a vegetarian diet may be recommended for them. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly necessary for physicians to screen even the very young for high blood pressure. In the past, young people with this problem were likely to have a kidney disorder. The blood pressure, as such, was symptomatic. Additionally, a lot of children with hypertension did not have it as well when they became adults. In fact, only 17% did.
Causes of Hypertension:
It now appears that the causes of hypertension are virtually the same in all people over the age of 30, regardless of whether they smoke or drink or not. Essentially, it is down to their lifestyle choices. However, if they are under the age of 40, they should still be referred to a specialist so that it can be determined whether they have a kidney disorder. It is possible, for instance, that they had hypertension as a child but simply weren’t aware of it, effectively living with a serious disorder for most of their life.
The most important thing to remember is not just that high blood pressure is a dangerous condition, but also that it is treatable. By making lifestyle changes, consuming a healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet, and getting enough physical exercise, high blood pressure can be reversed. If someone also has high cholesterol, which is common, particularly in patients over 30, then it may be recommended to take some short term medication, such as statins, as well. In so doing, they can give their body the boost it needs to start to heal itself, particularly if they are committed to changing their lifestyle as well.
