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explain hypertension and its relation with lifestyle changes. |
Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. Every time the human heart beats, it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries. Hypertension may be classified as essential or secondary. Essential hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with unknown cause. It accounts for about 95% of cases. Secondary hypertension is the term for high blood pressure with a known direct cause, such as kidney disease, tumors, or birth control pills. Though the exact causes of hypertension are usually unknown, there are several factors that have been highly associated with the condition. These include: 1. Smoking 2. Obesity or being overweight 3. Diabetes 4. Sedentary lifestyle 5. Lack of physical activity High levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity). According to the American Heart Association (AHA), sodium consumption should be limited to 1,500 milligrams per day, and that includes everybody, even healthy people without high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. AHA's chief executive officer, Nancy Brown said "Our recommendation is simple in the sense that it applies to the entire U.S population, not just at-risk groups. Americans of all ages, regardless of individual risk factors, can improve the heart health and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by restricting their daily consumption of sodium to less that 1,500 milligrams." Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption Vitamin D deficiency High levels of alcohol consumption Stress Aging Medicines such as birth control pills Genetics and a family history of hypertension - In May 2011, scientists from the University of Leicester, England, reported in the journal Hypertension that some genes in the kidneys may contribute to hypertension. Chronic kidney disease Adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors |