Your hypertension risk factors

There are common inherited and physical risk factors for high blood pressure, and these include:

• Family history: If your parents or other close blood relatives have high blood pressure, you have an increased chance of getting it, too.
• Age: As you get older, you are more likely to get high blood pressure. As we age, our blood vessels gradually lose some of their elastic quality. This can cause increased blood pressure. However, children can also develop high blood pressure. Learn more about children and high blood pressure.

• Gender: Until age 64, men are more likely than women to get high blood pressure. At 65 and older, women are more likely to get high blood pressure. Learn more about women and high blood pressure.

• Race: Certain racial and ethnic groups, such as Black, Hispanic and Asian adults, particularly males, have higher rates of high blood pressure. Historical and systemic factors, cultural practices and dietary habits can contribute to these differences.

• Chronic kidney disease: High blood pressure may be caused by kidney disease. Having high blood pressure also may cause kidney damage.