{"id":6563,"date":"2022-12-22T21:18:19","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T21:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.theemtspot.com\/?p=6563"},"modified":"2026-04-11T19:54:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T19:54:00","slug":"familial-hypertension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/familial-hypertension\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Familial Hypertension Or The Genetics Of High Blood Pressure?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\"><strong>Quick Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"--ek-bullet-color:#ea4474\" class=\"wp-block-list is-style-connected has-list-bullet-color\">\n<li>Although the exact origin of familial hypertension is unknown, research suggests that it is caused by a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is believed that up to 30% of patients with high blood pressure have familial hypertension, while less than 5% have essential hypertension.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintaining normal blood pressure can be achieved with regular physical activity and a nutritious diet, avoiding cigarette and alcohol usage, and lowering stress levels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re like most people, you may have heard talk about <strong>high blood pressure <\/strong>(hypertension) and assumed it&#8217;s a condition that only affects those who are older or inactive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that isn\u2019t always true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High blood pressure can be a genetic condition affecting people who are otherwise fit and healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A parent <\/strong>with high blood pressure can pass along a <strong>gene to a child<\/strong>, raising that person&#8217;s <strong>risk of developing hypertension <\/strong>one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you can reduce your overall risk of developing hypertension with a few <strong>dietary and lifestyle changes<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading this article to learn about <strong>familial hypertension <\/strong>and how you can prevent your risk of hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What Is Hypertension Or High Blood Pressure?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>High blood pressure can be defined as a systolic pressure (the top number) greater than <strong>130 mm Hg <\/strong>or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/blood-pressure\/systolic-vs-diastolic\/\" class=\"ek-link\">diastolic pressure <\/a>(the bottom number) greater than <strong>80 mm Hg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have hypertension, your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes or medications to lower your blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elevated blood pressure is usually treated with <strong>medications<\/strong>, but uncontrolled high blood pressure can be a serious concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\">Few Symptoms Of Hypertension<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although hypertension affects everyone differently, there are some<strong> signs and symptoms <\/strong>that may indicate you have it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Headaches due to tightness in your neck or head.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your heart might race or feel like it&#8217;s trying too hard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fatigue or difficulty sleeping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You might need to take more than standard doses of medication to control your blood pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <strong>American Heart Association<\/strong>, people who have elevated blood pressure should aim to maintain their normal blood pressure levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With regular <strong>physical activity <\/strong>and a healthy diet, avoiding <strong>tobacco<\/strong> and <strong>alcohol <\/strong>consumption, and limiting <strong>stress levels <\/strong>can help in maintaining normal blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re concerned about your blood pressure, <strong>talk to your doctor<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can run some tests to determine if you have hypertension and prescribe treatment if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What Can Cause Familial Hypertension?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Familial hypertension is a form of hypertension that <strong>runs in families<\/strong>. This means that you may have a parent or sibling with high BP even if you don&#8217;t have the condition yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s estimated that up to <strong>30 per cent <\/strong>of people with elevated BP have <strong>familial hypertension <\/strong>compared to less than 5 per cent who have essential hypertension (high BP due to resistance or narrowing of the artery walls).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the cause of familial hypertension is still not fully understood, research suggests that it is due to a <strong>combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike certain disorders that are caused by only one or a few genes, familial hypertension can be caused by mutations in hundreds of distinct genes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, with the help of <strong>medications and lifestyle changes<\/strong>, many people with familial hypertension are able to manage the condition effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What To Do If You Have A Family History Of Hypertension?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just in case you have a family history of hypertension, you should understand the <strong>risk factors <\/strong>for the condition and take steps to reduce them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few things to do are maintaining a <strong>healthy weight<\/strong>, eating a nutritious diet, quitting smoking, and drinking <strong>less alcohol<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a recent study, living a healthy lifestyle is associated with reduced blood pressure independent of <strong>underlying genetic risk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these actions, your doctor may recommend <strong>regular blood pressure monitoring <\/strong>to identify and address any changes over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can help identify <strong>early signs of hypertension <\/strong>and make sure it is treated before it becomes an issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reduce your risk by incorporating these habits into your everyday life and make a <strong>significant difference <\/strong>in your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What Puts You At Greater Risk Of Hypertension &#8211; Genetics Or Lifestyle?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to hypertension, genetics play a role, but <strong>lifestyle choices <\/strong>also contribute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was found that between 20 and 55 per cent of hypertension cases are due to genetic factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this doesn&#8217;t mean that you can&#8217;t lower your risk of high blood pressure by adopting a <strong>heart-healthy lifestyle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A 2017 study found that individuals who had a healthy lifestyle consisting of regular aerobic exercise, no smoking, and a low-sodium diet were at a much lower risk for <strong>developing high blood pressure <\/strong>than those who did not have these habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that even if you inherited genes that increase your risk for hypertension, you could still lower your chances of developing the condition by making <strong>healthy choices every day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>How Can You Treat Hypertension?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to hypertension, there are a variety of <strong>different treatments <\/strong>that can be used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and reducing salt intake, may be enough on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Medications <\/strong>may also be prescribed for those who experience high blood pressure levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is essential to speak with a <strong>doctor <\/strong>about which type of medication would be best for an individual&#8217;s <strong>specific situation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to experts, there is a link between a <strong>family history of hypertension <\/strong>and the condition occurring. However, many factors contribute to the risk, including lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk of developing hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If lifestyle changes are not enough and medication is needed, remember that taking medications in an <strong>effective manner<\/strong> is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some patients may even find it helpful to connect with a support group or therapist to manage their hypertension significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can consult a doctor or <strong>healthcare professional<\/strong> as they can assess your hypertension situation better and prescribe suitable medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-columns gb-slate-section-text-with-cta gb-slate-text-with-cta gb-layout-columns-1 gb-1-col-equal gb-has-background-dim gb-has-background-dim-30 gb-has-custom-background-color has-black-color gb-columns-center alignwide\" style=\"padding-top:3em;padding-right:1em;padding-bottom:3em;padding-left:1em;background-color:#ffeaf0;background-position:50% 52%\"><div class=\"gb-layout-column-wrap gb-block-layout-column-gap-3 gb-is-responsive-column\" style=\"max-width:872px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-column gb-block-layout-column\"><div class=\"gb-block-layout-column-inner\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:28px\">You can listen the review of this article on TheEMTSpot\u2019s PODCAST (Episode 17) hosted by Samuel Harrison and Olivia Harper \u2013 check out the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Familial Hypertension Explained: What to Know | TheEMTSpot&#039;s PODCAST (EP. 17)\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b1brhTi2jN8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-container\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-container daexthefu-layout-side-by-side daexthefu-alignment-left\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-post-id=\"6563\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-feedback\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-text\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"daexthefu-title\">Was this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-yes daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text\" data-value=\"1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-button-text\">Yes<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-no daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text\" data-value=\"0\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-button-text\">No<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-top-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<label id=\"daexthefu-comment-label\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-label\"><\/label>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-text\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<textarea id=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaceholder=\"Type your message\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmaxlength=\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t400\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"><\/textarea>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-submit daexthefu-button\">Submit<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-cancel daexthefu-button\">Cancel<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-successful-submission-text\">Thanks for your feedback!<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have a family history of hypertension? Read this guide to learn all about familial hypertension and check how to prevent yourself from getting affected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_helpful_status":1,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blood-pressure"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6563"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":538587,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6563\/revisions\/538587"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}