Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against artery walls. When it remains too high for too long, arteries weaken, leading to serious health risks.

In the U.S., about 70 million people—nearly one in three—live with high blood pressure. In Canada, it affects one in six. Hypertension is a leading contributor to heart disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and kidney failure. Managing it is essential to protect long-term health.

While drugs are often prescribed, not all treatments are risk-free. Research shows that long-term use of calcium channel blockers, one of the most common medications, may increase the risk of developing cancer by 2.5 times, with risk rising as patients age.

Two Types of Hypertension

Hypertension can be inherited or linked to lifestyle. It falls into two categories:

Essential (Primary) Hypertension: No clear cause, developing gradually over time.

Secondary Hypertension: Stemming from another condition, such as:

• Sleep apnea

• Kidney disease

• Adrenal or thyroid problems

• Congenital blood vessel defects

Risk Factors

Several factors raise the likelihood of high blood pressure, including:

• Age and genetics

• Obesity

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Smoking and alcohol or drug use

• Stress

• High-sodium diet

• Chronic deficiencies in vitamin D or potassium