How often should blood pressure be checked?
High blood pressure affects an estimated 50 million Americans. In most cases, the causes of high blood pressure are not known, but some things may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. These include: • Heredity: High blood pressure tends to run in families. • Race: African Americans have high blood pressure more often and more severely than whites. • Age: The tendency to develop high blood pressure increases as you age. • Obesity: People who are overweight have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure. • Lack of exercise: An inactive lifestyle may contribute to being overweight, which is a risk factor for high blood pressure. • Alcohol use: Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase blood pressure. • Too much dietary salt: Heavy use of salt can increase blood pressure. • Oral contraceptives: Women who take the pill have an increased chance of developing high blood pressure especially if they are also smokers. • Gender: Until age 45, high blood pressure
