Since 2017, nearly half of American adults could be diagnosed with hypertension¹. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health issue that affects the body’s arteries. It happens when the blood’s pressure against artery walls is too high. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood.

It’s important to know the causes, risk factors, and problems that come with high blood pressure. This knowledge helps in managing and preventing this serious condition.

Key Takeaways

• High blood pressure is a major risk factor for serious health problems like heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
• The systolic blood pressure reading in the healthy range is lower than 120 mm Hg, and the diastolic reading is below 80 mm Hg¹.
• Lifestyle factors like high alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and high sodium intake can contribute to essential (primary) hypertension¹.
• Certain medical conditions and medication side effects can lead to secondary hypertension¹.
• Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of high blood pressure are crucial to prevent serious health complications.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects the circulatory system. It means your blood pressure is 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher². This shows the pressure on your artery walls as your heart pumps blood.

Definition and Meaning of Hypertension

Hypertension is when your blood pressure against artery walls is always too high³. This can cause big health problems if not treated, like heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.

Blood Pressure Measurement and Categories

Your blood pressure has two numbers: systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom)⁴. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have blood pressure categories:

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg⁴
• Elevated: 120-129 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic⁴
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1: 130-139 mm Hg systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic⁴
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2: 140 mm Hg or higher systolic or 90 mm Hg or higher diastolic⁴
• Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180 mm Hg systolic or Higher than 120 mm Hg diastolic⁴

Checking your blood pressure often and using home devices is key for your heart health³².

“High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and it’s essential to understand the different categories and seek medical attention if your readings are consistently high.”

³²⁴

Causes of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects millions worldwide⁵. It’s important to know the causes for better management and prevention. There are two main types: primary (essential) and secondary hypertension.

Primary (Essential) Hypertension

Primary or essential hypertension is the most common type⁶. It has no clear cause and develops slowly over time. Factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, being overweight, and high stress are often linked to it.

Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition or factor⁶. It can start suddenly and has higher blood pressure readings. Kidney disease, hormonal imbalances, sleep apnea, and some medicines are common causes.

Finding the cause of high blood pressure is key for treatment⁷. For primary hypertension, lifestyle changes are often the first step. Secondary hypertension might need specific medical treatment.

Knowing the difference between primary and secondary hypertension helps healthcare providers and patients⁶. This knowledge helps create a tailored treatment plan for each condition.

“High blood pressure is a serious condition that can be dangerous if not managed. Understanding it and taking steps to control it can greatly improve health and well-being.”

In summary, high blood pressure has two main causes: primary (essential) and secondary hypertension⁵⁶⁷. Knowing the cause is key for the right treatment approach. This can vary based on the individual’s specific situation⁵⁶⁷.

Risk Factors for Developing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health issue. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. Knowing the risk factors for high blood pressure is key to preventing and managing it.

Some main risk factors for high blood pressure are:

• Age: The risk of high blood pressure goes up with age. In fact, 9 out of 10 Americans will get it at some point⁸.
• Family History: If your family has high blood pressure, you’re more likely to get it too. This is especially true if you also make unhealthy lifestyle choices⁸.
• Race and Ethnicity: Black people are more likely to get high blood pressure than other groups. They often get it earlier in life too⁸.
• Obesity and Overweight: Being overweight, especially around the waist, can make blood pressure go up. This is because you’re circulating more blood⁹.
• Lack of Physical Activity: Not moving enough can make blood pressure go up. On the other hand, staying active can help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy⁸.
• Poor Diet: Eating too much sodium and not enough potassium can up your risk of high blood pressure. Sodium can cause fluid retention and make arteries narrow⁸⁹.
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can make your blood pressure go up. It does this by making your blood vessels constrict and your heart beat faster⁹.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking can harm your heart and blood vessels. This can make your blood pressure go up⁸.
• Chronic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea can also raise your risk of high blood pressure⁹.

While some risk factors, like age and genetics, can’t be changed, many can be managed. By making healthy lifestyle changes and seeing your doctor regularly, you can lower your risk of high blood pressure. This can help keep your blood pressure in check and reduce health risks.

Risk Factor	Impact on Blood Pressure
Obesity and Overweight	Increases the volume of blood circulated through blood vessels, raising the pressure inside arteries9.
High Sodium Diet	Can lead to fluid retention and arterial constriction, contributing to high blood pressure9.
Insufficient Potassium	Affects the balance of sodium in cells and can cause arterial smooth muscle cells to relax, lowering blood pressure9.
Lack of Physical Activity	Raises the risk of being overweight and reduces blood flow through arteries, potentially leading to high blood pressure9.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption	Can activate the adrenergic nervous system, causing blood vessel constriction and increased blood flow and heart rate9.

By understanding and tackling these risk factors, you can take steps to keep your blood pressure healthy. This can lower your risk of health problems.

Complications of Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Organ Damage and Health Risks

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can seriously harm your health¹⁰. It puts too much pressure on your artery walls. This can damage your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, brain, and other important organs over time¹¹. You could face serious conditions like heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and more¹².

Uncontrolled hypertension is a big threat to your heart and blood vessels¹¹. It can cause plaque to build up in your arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. This can block blood flow and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke¹². It also makes your heart work too hard, which can lead to heart failure¹¹.

High blood pressure can also harm your kidneys badly¹¹. Over time, it can damage the blood vessels around the kidneys. This can lead to chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure, needing dialysis or a transplant¹².

Uncontrolled hypertension can also affect your vision¹¹. The high pressure can damage blood vessels in the eyes. This can cause conditions like retinopathy, choroidopathy, and optic neuropathy, leading to vision loss¹².

High blood pressure’s risks aren’t just physical¹¹. It can also lead to erectile dysfunction in men and cognitive impairment and dementia by affecting blood flow to the brain¹².

The longer you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, the more damage you could do to your body’s vital organs and systems¹⁰. Getting medical help quickly and following your treatment plan is key to managing hypertension and avoiding these serious problems¹².

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the “silent killer” because it can go unnoticed¹³. In fact, about one-third of people with high blood pressure don’t even realize they have it¹³. This is because it usually develops slowly without any clear signs, even at very high levels.

Some people with severe or sudden high blood pressure might feel headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, or dizziness. But these symptoms can also happen with other health issues¹³. Many think dizziness and nervousness are signs of high blood pressure, but they might not be¹³.

The American Heart Association says normal blood pressure is below 120/80¹³. Blood pressure is considered elevated if it’s between 120 and 129 on top and below 80 on the bottom. High blood pressure is above 130 on top or 80 on the bottom¹³. It can get worse, reaching stage 1 with numbers of 130 to 139 on top or 80 to 89 on the bottom. Stage 2 is above 140 on top or 90 on the bottom¹³. A hypertensive crisis is when the numbers go above 180 on top and 120 on the bottom¹³.

If you have severe high blood pressure symptoms, get medical help right away. This could mean a hypertensive crisis, which is very dangerous and can cause heart attacks or strokes¹³. But because it often has no clear symptoms, it’s called the “silent killer.”¹³

Short-term, you can lower blood pressure with stress reduction, meditation, deep breathing, and warm baths or showers¹³. For the long term, you need to change your diet, be more active, and might need medication¹³. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and checking your blood pressure regularly are key to managing hypertension and avoiding its risks¹³.

“High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because it does not typically present symptoms until it is severe.”¹³

When to See a Doctor for Blood Pressure Screening

Checking your blood pressure often is key to staying healthy. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association suggest adults 18 and up check their blood pressure every two years¹⁴. Those 40 and older, or 18-39 with risk factors, should check it once a year¹⁴. Kids 3 and older should get their blood pressure checked during regular doctor visits¹⁵. If you have high blood pressure or risk factors, your doctor may want you to check it more often.

Recommended Frequency of Checkups

How often you should get your blood pressure checked depends on your age and health. Here are the basic guidelines:

• Healthy adults under 40: Every 3-5 years¹⁴
• Adults aged 40 and older: Once a year¹⁴
• Adults with high blood pressure or risk factors: More often, as your doctor suggests¹⁴
• Children aged 3 and older: During regular check-ups¹⁵

Remember, these are general tips, and your needs might be different¹⁵. Talking to a healthcare expert is the best way to figure out how often you should check your blood pressure¹⁴.

“Regular blood pressure monitoring is essential for maintaining good cardiovascular health. Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in preventing long-term complications.” – Dr. Sarah Johnson, Cardiologist

By sticking to the guidelines for blood pressure checks, you can help manage your health and lower the risk of high blood pressure and its problems¹⁶¹⁵¹⁴.

Hypertensive Crisis: A Medical Emergency

A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe spike in blood pressure that needs quick medical help. When blood pressure hits 180/120 mm Hg or higher, it’s a crisis¹⁷. This high pressure can harm blood vessels and vital organs, leading to serious issues like heart attacks, strokes, and organ failure¹⁷.

Symptoms include anxiety, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, nausea and vomiting, unresponsiveness, seizures, severe headache, and shortness of breath¹⁷. These signs mean it’s a medical emergency. Anyone with these symptoms should call 911 or get emergency care fast to avoid serious problems¹⁷.

There are two types of hypertensive crises: urgent and emergency. An urgent crisis has very high blood pressure but no organ damage. An emergency crisis has high pressure and serious organ damage¹⁷. Both need quick medical help to control blood pressure and prevent more harm.

Causes include forgetting to take blood pressure medicine, stopping certain heart drugs suddenly, drug interactions, and adrenal gland tumors¹⁷. Treatment usually means going to the hospital to check for organ damage and giving medications to lower blood pressure¹⁷.

Signs and Symptoms of Severe High Blood Pressure

• Severe headache
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Nosebleed
• Confusion or changes in vision or speech

If you see these signs of a hypertensive crisis, get emergency medical help right away. If not treated, it can lead to serious or even deadly problems, so acting fast is key¹⁷.

“Hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent organ damage or loss of life.”

Condition	Symptoms	Prevalence
Hypertensive Urgency	Headache, chest pain, vertigo, shortness of breath, nausea	83.53%
Hypertensive Emergency	Headache, chest pain and shortness of breath, vertigo, nausea and vomiting	16.47%

Hypertensive crisis is a serious condition that affects many Americans yearly¹⁸¹⁹. Recognizing the signs and getting quick medical help is key to avoiding serious complications¹⁷¹⁸¹⁹.

Factors Contributing to high blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a big health issue, affecting nearly half of adults in the U.S⁶.. It has complex causes, but lifestyle habits and health conditions can make it worse.

Lifestyle Habits and Health Conditions

Eating too much salt is a big risk for high blood pressure²⁰. Not moving enough, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking also play a part²⁰. Health issues like obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea are linked to it too²⁰.

Blood pressure levels are classified into normal, elevated, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension²⁰. Being inactive, eating a lot of salt or not enough potassium, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol are risks²⁰.

High blood pressure is more common in Black people than white people, starting earlier in Black individuals⁶. Blood pressure control is also lower in Asian and Black people than in white individuals⁶.

High blood pressure without control can lead to serious issues like heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, aneurysms, and kidney failure²⁰. Changing your lifestyle and possibly taking medicine are key to managing it and lowering risks²⁰.

“High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death globally. Identifying and addressing the factors that contribute to high blood pressure is essential for improving cardiovascular health and reducing the burden of hypertension.”

In summary, many lifestyle habits and health conditions can lead to high blood pressure. Knowing these factors and taking steps to manage them can help keep blood pressure healthy and lower the risks⁶²⁰⁷.

Treating and Managing High Blood Pressure

People with high blood pressure have many ways to treat and manage it. The main steps often include lifestyle changes and, if needed, blood pressure medications²¹.

Lifestyle Changes for Hypertension

Healthy lifestyle changes can help control high blood pressure. Key changes include:

• Keeping a healthy weight through diet and exercise²¹. Losing weight can lower blood pressure, with a drop of 1 mm Hg for every 2.2 pounds (1 kg) lost²¹.
• Staying active, which can lower blood pressure by 5 to 8 mm Hg²¹.
• Eating a balanced diet with whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy, which can cut high blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg²¹²².
• Keeping sodium intake at 2,300 mg a day or less, which can reduce high blood pressure by 5 to 6 mm Hg²¹.
• Drinking less alcohol, with women having less than one drink a day and men having two, which can lower blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg²¹.
• Stopping smoking, which can lower blood pressure and cut the risk of heart disease²¹.
• Improving sleep and managing stress, as poor sleep and stress can be linked to high blood pressure²¹.

Blood Pressure Medications

Some people with high blood pressure may also need blood pressure medications. These medications work in different ways, like removing water, relaxing blood vessels, making the heart beat less forcefully, and blocking nerve activity that can narrow blood vessels²³.

Common types of blood pressure medications include:

• ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril)²²
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (e.g., candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, olmesartan)²²
• Calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine)²²
• Diuretics (e.g., indapamide, bendroflumethiazide)²²
• Beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, bisoprolol)²²

These medications can lower the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But, they may also have side effects like dizziness, headaches, swelling, and stomach problems²³.

It’s key for people with high blood pressure to work closely with their doctors. They should create a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication²³. Checking blood pressure at home can also help see if these steps are working²¹.

“Controlling blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle can prevent, delay, or reduce the need for medication.”²¹

Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can happen or get worse during pregnancy. This is called gestational hypertension or preeclampsia²⁴. It can be risky for both the mom and the baby, causing slow growth, early birth, organ damage, and serious health issues²⁴. Women expecting should watch their blood pressure closely with their doctor’s help²⁴.

Risks and Management of Gestational Hypertension

About 6-8% of pregnancies after the 20th week get gestational hypertension²⁴. This can turn into preeclampsia, affecting 5-8% of pregnancies worldwide²⁵. Preeclampsia is serious, raising the chance of HELLP syndrome and placental abruption²⁴. Placental abruption happens in 1 out of 100 pregnancies²⁴.

Women with high blood pressure or at risk need close doctor watch. Treatments include medicine, changing activities, and watching the mom and baby²⁴. Catching and managing gestational hypertension early can lower risks and help everyone involved.

Condition	Prevalence
Gestational Hypertension	6-8% of pregnancies24
Chronic Hypertension	1-5% of pregnant women24
Preeclampsia	5-8% of pregnancies globally25
HELLP Syndrome	Complicates about 10-20% of severe preeclampsia cases24
Placental Abruption	1 in every 100 pregnancies24

It’s key for pregnant women to go to regular prenatal visits and keep an eye on their blood pressure. Finding and managing high blood pressure can greatly cut down risks for both mom and baby²⁶.

“Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are leading causes of maternal and infant illness and death. Proper management is essential to ensure the best possible outcome for both the mother and the baby.”

In summary, high blood pressure in pregnancy needs careful watching and action to protect the mom and baby. Doctors are key in spotting and handling gestational hypertension for a safe pregnancy²⁵²⁴²⁶.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in High Blood Pressure

Studies show big differences in high blood pressure among races and ethnic groups in the U.S²⁷.. Non-Hispanic Black people often have high blood pressure and get it earlier than non-Hispanic whites²⁷. Also, Asian and Black people have lower rates of controlling their blood pressure than whites²⁷. These differences come from genetics, money, and living conditions, and need special health efforts to fix.

From 2013 to 2018, there were big gaps in knowing about, treating, and controlling high blood pressure in the U.S²⁸.. These gaps are linked to things like reading health info, money, getting to doctors, knowing about health, and eating habits²⁸.

Recent studies show we’re still facing big challenges. Non-Hispanic Blacks have more high blood pressure than non-Hispanic Whites, while Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asians have less²⁹. Also, Whites have better control over their blood pressure than other groups²⁹.

High blood pressure affects different Asian groups in different ways. South Asian adults had more high blood pressure than East/Southeast Asian adults²⁹. The rates varied a lot, from 30% in Chinese women to 60% in Filipino men, showing the diversity in the Asian community²⁹.

There’s still a big gap in controlling and managing high blood pressure, with Whites doing the best²⁹. Not having good insurance and not having access to healthcare are big reasons for this²⁹.

There are many reasons why some groups have more high blood pressure, like genetics, money, and where they live²⁷. Researchers are working to understand these reasons better. They want to find ways to help these groups with targeted health programs.

High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents

High blood pressure is a growing concern for kids and teens, not just adults. It often comes from other health issues like kidney disease or heart defects. But, more kids are getting it because of being overweight³⁰. Catching and treating high blood pressure early in kids is key to avoiding future health problems.

About 1 in 25 young people aged 12 to 19 have high blood pressure, and 1 in 10 have blood pressure that’s getting there³⁰. Obesity makes it worse. The problem is big, especially among 18 to 19-year-olds, with most being boys³⁰.

New guidelines in 2017 changed the game, adding nearly 800,000 young people to the high blood pressure list³⁰. Now, over 1 in 7 US teens aged 12 to 19 are considered high risk³⁰.

This means about 1.3 million kids ages 12 to 19 now have high blood pressure, or 1 in 25³⁰. It’s a big deal for public health.

High blood pressure in young people is a big worry. In a group of 30 kids, one might have hypertension, and three more might be close to it³⁰. Eating right and staying active can help lower these risks³⁰. These habits can also prevent heart disease later on³⁰.

Almost all US kids eat too much sodium, which is bad for blood pressure³⁰.

Understanding the Causes and Prevalence of Pediatric Hypertension

There are two types of high blood pressure in kids: primary and secondary³¹. Primary is the main type in kids over 6³¹. Being overweight, having a family history of high blood pressure, and other factors increase the risk³¹.

Secondary hypertension is caused by other health issues like kidney disease or sleep apnea³¹. About 6% of kids have high blood pressure, and it’s even higher in obese teens³².

Only 26% of kids with high blood pressure got officially diagnosed³². We need better screening, especially for kids at high risk like those with diabetes or obesity³².

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Hypertension

Hispanic and black kids face a higher risk of high blood pressure³². But, breastfeeding can lower this risk³².

Checking blood pressure in kids is crucial. The 2017 guidelines suggest checking every year starting at age three³². The European guidelines agree, recommending checks every two years starting at age three³².

We need to tackle the rising rates of high blood pressure in kids and teens. Early detection and management can prevent future health issues³⁰³²³¹.

Conclusion

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common and serious health issue that affects the body’s arteries³³. It’s key to know the causes, risk factors, and complications of high blood pressure for prevention and management³⁴. This condition often starts slowly and has no symptoms. If not controlled, it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions³³.

Healthy habits, regular blood pressure checks, and working with doctors can help manage high blood pressure³⁵. Over 50 million Americans aged 6 and older have this condition³⁵. Also, about two-thirds of people aged 45 to 64 might have prehypertension, showing the need for early action³⁵.

Strategies like the DASH diet, exercise, and medication can lower blood pressure and reduce health risks³⁵. Managing high blood pressure is crucial for heart health and overall well-being³⁴.

“Controlling high blood pressure is one of the most important things we can do to protect our heart health and longevity.”

In summary, managing high blood pressure is vital for heart health and longevity³³³⁵³⁴. By giving people the right knowledge and tools, we can fight the effects of high blood pressure together³³³⁵³⁴.

Additional Resources

The American Heart Association (AHA) has many resources for managing high blood pressure. Their website has lots of info on the causes, symptoms, and treatments of hypertension³⁶. It also gives tips on how to keep your blood pressure in check³⁷.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a special section on their site for high blood pressure. This section includes the latest guidelines² and advice on lifestyle changes and medications for managing hypertension.

For people who want to connect with others going through the same health issues, there are support groups and online communities. The American Stroke Association, part of the AHA, has forums and info on managing high blood pressure to lower stroke risk³⁷. These resources help people take steps to better understand, monitor, and control their blood pressure for better health.

FAQ

What is the definition and meaning of high blood pressure or hypertension?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the blood’s force against artery walls is too high. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood. It’s a common issue that affects the body’s arteries.

How is blood pressure measured and what are the different blood pressure categories?

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom). The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have four main categories. These include normal blood pressure, elevated, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension.

What are the two main types of high blood pressure?

There are two main types of high blood pressure. Primary hypertension is the most common and has no clear cause. It develops slowly over time. Secondary hypertension is caused by another medical condition, like kidney disease or thyroid problems.

What are the risk factors for developing high blood pressure?

Many things can increase the chance of getting high blood pressure. These include age, family history, race, being overweight, not being active, eating poorly, drinking too much alcohol, and having certain health conditions like diabetes or sleep apnea.

What are the potential complications of uncontrolled high blood pressure?

High blood pressure that is not controlled can lead to serious health issues. This includes a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and other serious conditions.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure often has no clear symptoms, even when it’s very high. Many people don’t know they have it because it develops slowly. In some cases, people may feel headaches, have trouble breathing, get nosebleeds, or feel dizzy.

How often should blood pressure be checked?

Adults should have their blood pressure checked every two years, says the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. Those over 40 or with risk factors should get checked every year. Kids aged 3 and up should have it checked during regular check-ups.

What is a hypertensive crisis and what are the signs?

A hypertensive crisis means blood pressure is over 180/120 mm Hg, a medical emergency. Signs include trouble breathing, chest pain, severe headaches, nosebleeds, and vision or speech changes. Call 911 or get emergency care if you see these signs.

What factors can contribute to or exacerbate high blood pressure?

Many lifestyle choices and health conditions can make high blood pressure worse. These include eating too much salt, not moving enough, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, being overweight, having diabetes, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and certain medicines.

How is high blood pressure treated and managed?

To treat high blood pressure, you might change your lifestyle. This includes eating well, exercising, managing your weight, drinking less alcohol, quitting smoking, and getting regular check-ups. Sometimes, doctors may also prescribe medicines like diuretics or ACE inhibitors.

How can high blood pressure affect pregnancy?

High blood pressure can happen during pregnancy, known as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. It can be risky for both the mom and the baby. Risks include slow fetal growth, premature birth, organ damage, and serious complications.

Are there racial and ethnic disparities in the prevalence of high blood pressure?

Yes, high blood pressure affects some racial and ethnic groups more than others in the U.S. Black people often get hypertension earlier and more frequently than white people. Also, controlling blood pressure is harder for Asian and Black people than for white people.

Can high blood pressure also affect children and adolescents?

High blood pressure is not just an adult issue; it’s becoming more common in kids and teens too. Often, it’s linked to an underlying condition. But the rise in childhood obesity has also led to more primary hypertension in young people.

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