If they contract or press two much, the heart must work harder and blood pressure rises. In most cases the cause of hypertension is unknown. The tendency toward high blood pressure seems to run in some families. And certain groups are more at risk than others. The good news is that high blood pressure is controllable.
Many people can control their high blood pressure by changing some of their daily habits.
Losing weight, being more physically active, reducing salt intake and moderating alcohol intake are ways to control high blood pressure. A variety of new drugs may be prescribed to control moderate and severe high blood pressure with few side effects. Many deaths can be prevented if hypertension is detected early and managed properly. Stroke deaths have decreased by more than 57 percent, and deaths from heart disease have decreased significantly over the past 15-20 years. Much of the increase in the human life span can be attributed to earlier and better treatment of high blood pressure.