1.
RISK FACTORS OF
HYPERTENSION
Moderators
Dr. Samreen
Dr. Nikhat
Dr. Abdullah
Dr. Naveen
Dr. Saleem
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Presented by
AbuShahma Batch
2014

2.
 It is any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual
that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or
injury.
 Two types:-
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Non-modifiable Modifiable

3.
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 Age
 Gender
 Genetic factors
 Ethnicity
 Obesity
 Salt intake
 Potassium intake
 Saturated fats
 Alcohol
 Dietary fibre
 Smoking
 Stress
 Physical activity
 Socio-economic status
NON-MODIFIABLE RISK
FACTORS
MODIFIABLE
RISK FACTORS

4.
Age:-
• Blood Pressure increases with age in both sexes.
• Blood Pressure rises more in those with higher initial BP.
Gender:-
• Men display a higher average blood pressure.
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NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS
0
20
40
60
80
100
MEN
WOMEN
P
E
R
C
E
N
T
A
G
E
AGE GROUP
Reference: NHANES 1999-2002

5.
Genetic factors:-
• It is polygenic in inheritance.
• Monozygotic > Dizygotic twins.
• Children of normotensive parents have 3%
possibility of developing hypertension
whereas this possibility is 45% in children of
both hypertensive parents.
Ethnicity:
• Black Americans > White Americans
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6.
OBESITY
• Cross-sectional studies indicate direct
linear correlation between BMI and
B.P.
• Greater the weight greater the risk of
hypertension.
• Central obesity has been positively
correlated .
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BMI less than 18.50 Underweight
BMI 18.50 -24.99 Healthy weight
BMI 25.00 -29.99 Overweight
BMI 30.00 or more Obese
BMI Chart

7.
Salt intake:-
• Average intake of salt should be less than 5
gm per day.
• Average intake of 7-8g per day of salt
increases Blood Pressure proportionately.
• High salt intake not only responsible for high
BP but also accelerate the end organ
damage.
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8.
Potassium intake:-
• Potassium antagonises the biological effect of
Sodium.
• Potassium supplements lower the BP of mild to
moderate hypertensive's.
Saturated fat:-
• Higher the intake of saturated fat, greater is
risk for hypertension.
• It raises both LDL cholesterol and blood
pressure .
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9.
Alcohol:-
• It increases systolic BP more than diastolic
BP.
• Alcohol contains calories and may
contribute to unnecessary weight gain.
• With alcohol abstinence, BP comes to
normal.
Dietary fibre:-
• Most of the fibre reduces plasma total and
LDL Cholesterol.
• According to DASH trial diet rich in fruit
vegetables lowers blood pressure in
individual with mild hypertension. 9/12

10.
Smoking:-
• Nicotine stimulates adrenergic drive raising
blood pressure.
• It raises Blood Pressure temporarily.
Stress:-
• Stress can lead to temporary rise in BP
because of increased level of
catecholamine by sympathetic over activity.
• Chronic stress can lead to unhealthy
behavior ( overeating, smoking, alcoholism
etc.) that contributes to hypertension. 10/12

11.
Physical activity:-
• Sedentary life style increases the
chance of weight gain and thus the risk
of hypertension.
• BP can be lowered by 30 min per day
regular moderately intense physical
activity such as brisk walking.
Socio-economic status:-
• In countries with post transitional stage of
economy and epidemiological change high
BP is noted in lower socio-economic group
while in pre-transitional and transitional
higher prevalence of hypertension is in
upper socio-economic group.
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12.
 References:
1. Park textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine 24th edition 12/12