From the Guidelines
Hypertension in a 42-year-old individual is most commonly caused by essential or primary hypertension, which is influenced by genetics, lifestyle factors, and aging, as stated in the 2020 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guideline 1. The causes of hypertension can be categorized into primary (essential) and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension develops gradually over years without an identifiable cause, but is influenced by factors such as:
- Genetics
- Lifestyle factors, including:
- High sodium intake
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Aging, as systolic blood pressure increases with advancing age in most populations 1 Secondary causes of hypertension include:
- Kidney disease
- Adrenal gland disorders, such as pheochromocytoma or Cushing's syndrome
- Thyroid problems
- Sleep apnea
- Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cocaine, and amphetamines 1 It is essential to identify the underlying cause of hypertension to determine the best course of treatment, which may include lifestyle modifications and medications, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics, as recommended by the 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline 1.
From the Research
Causes of Hypertension
The causes of hypertension in a 42-year-old individual can be attributed to various lifestyle factors, including:
- Obesity and overweight, which have been shown to have a direct strong relationship with blood pressure 2
- High dietary sodium intake, which has been demonstrated to have a hypotensive effect 3, 2
- Low potassium intake, although the evidence is inconsistent 3, 2
- Excessive alcohol consumption, which has been shown to increase blood pressure 3, 4, 2
- Physical inactivity, which has been linked to increased blood pressure 3, 5, 2
- Smoking and use of smokeless tobacco, which have been shown to increase ambulatory diastolic blood pressures 2
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications can play a crucial role in preventing and controlling hypertension, including:
- Weight loss, which has been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure 6, 4, 5, 2
- Regular physical activity, which has been linked to lower blood pressure 3, 5, 2
- Healthy dietary patterns, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products 3, 5
- Moderation of alcohol intake, which has been shown to decrease blood pressure 3, 4, 2
- Stress management, which has been recommended for hypertensive patients 4