Age, Sex, Family history You cannot control your age, family history, or sex. However, because heart disease is more common as we age, it is even more important to control the other risk factors. Men are at increased risk for coronary artery disease. When women reach menopause and the protective effect of the estrogen hormone is lost, the risk becomes equalized. Estrogen replacement may reduce a woman's risk of heart disease, but the slightly increased risk of some cancers has to be weighed against its advantages.
Hypertension can also lead to strokes, kidney disease, and aneurysms.
Also, hypertension causes the heart to work harder and can lead to Congestive Heart Failure. The upper number is called the systolic blood pressure. A systolic BP less than 140 is considered normal. A diastolic BP less than 90 is considered normal. BP's slightly higher than this is called mild hypertension and can sometimes be reduced by weight loss, cessation of smoking, and decreased salt intake.