From the Guidelines
Modifiable risk factors for hypertension include lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, overweight/obesity, and tobacco smoke exposure, as well as other conditions like diabetes and dyslipidemia.
Key Modifiable Risk Factors
- Unhealthy diet: a diet high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats can increase blood pressure [ 1 ]
- Physical inactivity: a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to high blood pressure [ 1 ]
- Overweight/obesity: excess weight can increase blood pressure and cardiovascular risk [ 1 ]
- Tobacco smoke exposure: smoking and secondhand smoke can damage blood vessels and increase blood pressure [ 1 ]
- Diabetes: having diabetes can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure [ 1 ]
- Dyslipidemia: high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia, high levels of triglycerides, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol can contribute to high blood pressure [ 1 ]
Importance of Addressing Modifiable Risk Factors
Addressing these modifiable risk factors through lifestyle modifications and other interventions is crucial for managing hypertension and reducing cardiovascular risk [ 1 ].
Comprehensive Treatment Plan
A comprehensive treatment plan for hypertension should include lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet and regular physical activity, as well as management of other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and dyslipidemia [ 1 ].
From the Research
Modifiable Risk Factors for Hypertension
The following are the modifiable risk factors for hypertension:
- High salt intake 2
- Alcohol intake 2
- Obesity 2, 3, 4, 5
- Low physical activity 2, 3, 4, 5
- Stress (still under investigation) 2
- Excess dietary salt 3
- Low dietary potassium 3
- Smoking 3, 5
- Socioeconomic status 3
- Psychosocial stressors 3
- Diabetes 3, 4
- Lack of physical activity 3
- Inadequate fruits and vegetable intake 3
- Low-fiber diet 5
- Abdominal obesity 5
- High non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol 5
- Secondhand smoking 5
- Binge drinking 5
- Suboptimal physical activity 5
Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors
The prevalence of these modifiable risk factors varies across different populations and studies. For example:
- Obesity contributed to a weighted PAR% of 38.2% in a study of 46 low- and middle-income countries 4
- Sedentary behaviour and low physical activity combined accounted for a weighted PAR% of 3.1% in the same study 4
- The prevalence of low fiber intake, suboptimal physical activity, abdominal obesity, and binge drinking remained high in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 5
- The prevalence of 4 or more modifiable risk factors per participant increased stepwise, ranging from 28.5% in the normal blood pressure group to 48.0% in the stage 2 hypertension group 5