Factors that affect the onset of symptoms include

  1. Constitutive genetic factors

  1. Neurogenic factors

  1. Environmental factors

Constitutive genetic factors

The predisposition to develop high arterial pressure in members of the same family is very high and highly evident. Statistical data show that babies born to hypertensive parents have higher arterial pressure than children from parents with normal arterial pressure.

This data also shows that within the same family, multiple members suffering from hypertension can be found. It is thought that the condition is genetically inheritable, and with dominant character.

It is theorized that only several characteristics that favor predisposition to develop hypertension, such as for example the primary disruption of the metabolism of catecholamines, or the overload of tissue with sodium, etc.  

Neurogenic factors

Acute psychological trauma such as fear, pain, extreme emotion, high and constant psychological pressure, different types of neuroses related to menopause, or neuroses following a contusion or bran commotion, are all conditions that may lead to developing hypertension.  

Environmental factors

Environmental factors may act in conjunction with other factors and aid in the onset of the disease. These factors include: 

  1. Overconsumption of sodium. Epidemiological studies have observed that there is a clear connection between a diet rich in salt and arterial hypertension. Nowadays, it is widely accepted that a high sensitivity of arterial pressure toward sodium is usually a familial phenomenon, and it is clearly seen in pre-hypertensive conditions.  
  2. Consumption of potassium. There is a negative correlation between the amount of potassium consumed and arterial hypertension. Hence, individuals who consume less potassium, have a higher likelihood of developing high arterial blood pressure.  
  3. Consumption of calcium. There is a negative correlation between the amount of calcium consumed and arterial hypertension. Hence, individuals who consume less calcium have a higher likelihood of developing arterial hypertension.  
  4. Obesity. There is a very strong connection between the scale of obesity of patients and arterial hypertension.  
  5. Alcohol. Regular use of alcohol of more than 30 gr of ethanol per day has been indicated to play a role in the prevalence of arterial hypertension.  
  6. Lack of physical activity. There is a connection between lack of physical activity and arterial pressure values visible in many conducted epidemiological surveys. 

Other factors include

  1. Age and gender. This condition is usually most present in patients over the age of 50 and affects both genders to the same degree. However, for patients above the age of 60, it is more prevalent in women rather than men. Since statistics vary often, there is an increase in patients above the age of 40 and below the age of 50, who suffer from hypertension.  

  1. Profession. Usually, this condition affects those who have professions which involve bearing large psychological pressure, or great responsibility, or those involved in professions where they are part of extremely emotive encounters. This disease affects those involved in manual labor less.  

  1. Smoking. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictive substance which narrows the peripheral blood vessels and lowers peripheral resistance. As a result of the above, this causes the increase of arterial pressure. 

  1. Introxication. Becoming intoxicated with lead salts can lead to the increase of arterial blood pressure.  

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 26 Mar 2018
Medical Author: Dr. med. Diana Hysi