Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is sustained elevated blood pressure. This is a condition where the force of blood against your artery walls in the body is too high. This condition can cause your heart to pump harder and faster to pump blood throughout the body can eventually lead to heart disease. 

Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure ( JNC) creates guidelines for High Blood pressure

According to the Mayo Clinic, the  New Guidelines from JNC 7 are as follows :

Normal: Less than 120 Systolic and and less than 80 Diastolic

Prehypertension: 120- 139 Systolic or 80-89 Diastolic

Hypertension

Stage 1:  140- 159 Systolic or 909-99 Diastolic

Stage 2: Greater than 160 Systolic or Greater than or equal 100 Diastolic

• Age: This risk increases as you age and is more common in men starting at at 64 and women starting at age 65.
• Family History: High blood pressure tends to run commonly in families
• Obesity: The heavier you weigh, the more blood the tissues in your body need for oxygen and nutrients. Once the flow of blood increases through your blood vessels the pressure against the artery walls increases as well. 
• Excessive use of alcohol: Excessive drinking can damage the heart which, in the long run, can make it more difficult for your heart to pump blood through the body.
• Tobacco use: Smoking and chewing tobacco can immediately raise your blood pressure and damage the lining of the artery walls.
• Stress: High-stress levels can increase you blood pressure and eventually lead to other risk factors such as drinking and drug use.
• Race:  Minorities such as Non- Hispanic White (7.4%),  Non- Hispanic Asian ( 9.5%), Non-Hispanic Black (12.1%), Alaska Native and Native Americans ( 14.5%), and people of Hispanic origin ( 11.8%).