Is high blood pressure genetic?

Although the variant was found in members of the genetically homogeneous Old Order Amish community in Pennsylvania, it is carried by about one of every five white Americans, said Yen-Pei Christy Chang, assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology and preventive medicine at the University of Maryland. Chang is a leader of the research group reporting the new finding in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (Article: US News)

The National Institutes of Health has useful guidelines on how to reduce and control your blood pressure (www.nhlbi.nih.gov). It is important to take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. The treatment goal is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in keeping your pressure controlled, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications. Other ways to control your blood pressure are:

• Following a Healthy Eating Pattern
• Reducing Salt and Sodium in Your Diet
• Maintaining a Healthy Weight
• Being Physically Active
• Limiting Alcohol Intake
• Quitting Smoking

High blood pressure in the news:

Gene Linked to High Blood Pressure Discovered Washington Post, United States - Dec 29, 2008 HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified a gene variant that may make people more likely to develop high blood pressure. Although the variant was ...

Hypertension Might Hinder Thinking Washington Post, United States - Dec 15, 2008 (HealthDay News) -- Sudden surges in blood pressure could make seniors with chronic hypertension a little less smart, new research suggests. ...