High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a concerning health problem that can cause issues such as cardiac disease, kidney failure, stroke, and other serious complications if left uncontrolled.
Both genetics and lifestyle choices play important roles in determining an individual’s risk for developing high blood pressure.
Understanding how these factors influence your risk is key to taking steps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
The Genetic Component of High Blood Pressure
Genes significantly impact your odds of having high blood pressure. Certain genetic variants passed down in families make some people more prone to developing hypertension. When high blood pressure runs in your family, you are at an increased risk.
One form of familial high blood pressure is monogenic hypertension, resulting from a mutation in a particular gene inherited from a parent. Examples include Liddle syndrome, Gordon syndrome, and several rare mineralocorticoid disorders.
These single-gene types of high blood pressure disrupt the body’s regulation of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium or hormones such as aldosterone.
Even though monogenic hypertension is uncommon, the disorders provide insight into the complex interplay between genetics and blood pressure control.
Beyond rare single-gene forms, scientists have identified over 300 common gene variants that can increase susceptibility to high blood pressure.
Each gene individually has only a slight effect, but inherited combinations of these genetic factors can substantially raise a person’s lifelong risk. The effects of this genetic susceptibility appear to be greater in women than men.
Overall, genetics are estimated to influence 20% to 55% of population variation in blood pressure. Your family history matters when it comes to your risk of hypertension.
If you have close relatives with high blood pressure, your chance of developing it yourself is higher because you likely share some of these blood pressure-raising gene variants.
Lifestyle Choices Also Impact Blood Pressure
While genetics play a part, your lifestyle choices have a very significant influence on your blood pressure levels and your risk for hypertension.
For example, carrying excess body fat is one of the biggest lifestyle contributors to high blood pressure as it puts additional strain on your blood vessels and heart, leading to higher blood pressure.
Obesity also leads to abnormal cholesterol levels and higher inflammation that damages blood vessels. Consuming excessive sodium through salt and not getting enough potassium from fruits and vegetables throws off the body’s normal electrolyte balance.
This causes fluid retention and stiffening of the arteries, hiking up blood pressure. The effects of sodium and potassium on blood pressure have been confirmed in rigorous clinical trials of dietary changes.
Sedentary habits are another concern. Regular physical activity keeps your heart strong and supple. Getting aerobic exercise for 150 minutes per week can help lower blood pressure by keeping blood vessels flexible and your heart efficient. However, being inactive lets blood pressure creep up.
Frequently drinking more than reasonable quantities of alcohol can also increase your blood pressure. Consuming more than a single drink per day for females and a maximum of two for males increases hypertension risk because alcohol directly constricts blood vessels and damages the lining.
Likewise, smoking tobacco promotes artery constriction and stiffness due to its toxins, such as nicotine. Breathing in cigarettes regularly clearly contributes to high blood pressure. The evidence is strong enough that doctors always advise smokers to quit.
Stress, lack of sleep, and other factors, such as environmental pollution, are also tied to higher blood pressure through various mechanisms that impair vascular function throughout the body.
Healthy Lifestyle Protects Against High Blood Pressure Even with Genetic Risk
Despite the effects of genes, making positive lifestyle modifications can significantly lower your blood pressure, even if you are genetically predisposed to hypertension.
Research shows that living an overall healthy lifestyle markedly reduces the risk of high blood pressure regardless of the underlying genetic susceptibility.
One study review found that participants with favorable lifestyle habits had systolic blood pressure measurements that were 3.5 to 3.6 mmHg lower compared to people with unfavorable habits.
The beneficial impact was the same whether they had low, medium, or high genetic risk for hypertension based on analysis of their DNA.
Another investigation showed that a healthy lifestyle lowered the risk of cardiac events, such as heart attack and stroke, by 30-33% regardless of genetic risk.
This implies that lifestyle improvements help minimize organ damage and complications from high blood pressure, even if a person’s genetic factors aren’t ideal.
Doctors recommend focusing on heart-healthy lifestyle changes as the first line of defense before considering medications for high blood pressure.
Losing extra weight, exercising regularly, restricting sodium, eating more potassium-rich foods, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and other positive modifications can go a long way toward controlling blood pressure, particularly when genes put you at a disadvantage.
While genetics do play a role in susceptibility to hypertension, your daily habits and environment have a very direct impact on your actual blood pressure.
Doing everything you can to lead a healthy lifestyle will help blunt any influence from your family history and genetic risk.
Imperial Center Family Medicine Can Help You Control High Blood Pressure
Managing high blood pressure takes commitment, but it is one of the most essential things you can do to stay healthy. If you have concerns about your genetic risk or want help improving your lifestyle, Imperial Center Family Medicine can help.
Our experienced physicians and nurse practitioners have extensive training in cardiovascular health.
We provide individualized guidance, resources, and support to help you maintain your blood pressure at healthy levels. Contact us today at 919-873-4437 or online to schedule a blood pressure check or consultation.