Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year. This can be done at hospitals, clinics, employee health departments and health fairs, as well as during routine physical examinations. Many people think hypertension results from anxiety or emotional tension and that it afflicts only people who are high-strung, have high pressure jobs or face many problems. But statistics do not support this idea. Many calm individuals have high blood pressure.
Definite causes are unknown for most hypertensives.
Certain groups seem to be at special risk, however. People who are older, overweight, diabetic or have a family history of high blood pressure are most likely candidates for the condition. High blood pressure most often affects individuals over age 35, but it can occur at any age. Up to age 50, men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure, although statistics for women increase after menopause. Pregnant women can develop high blood pressure, particularly during the last three months of pregnancy.