This document discusses the risk factors for hypertension. It identifies two types of risk factors: non-modifiable and modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors include age, gender, genetics and ethnicity. Modifiable risk factors include obesity, diet (salt, saturated fat, potassium intake), lifestyle factors (alcohol use, smoking, physical inactivity, stress), and socioeconomic status. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet low in salt and saturated fat, not smoking, exercising regularly and managing stress can help reduce the risk of developing hypertension.

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

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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