High blood pressure is a very common condition. In all reality, most people who have it aren't even aware of it. The most important thing you can do to control your blood pressure is to make sure your lifestyle is a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy and getting the right amount of exercise. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is very important in maintaining a healthy heart. Many sources say that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day is good enough to maintain good cardio health. I recommend talking to your physician before starting any kind of regimen though.

Different people have varying degrees of risk for hypertension. Several factors go into determining your risk include:

1. Family History-If your parents or close relatives have high blood pressure you're more likely to develop it at some point and you may also pass this risk factor onto your children. Lifestyle choices have a huge impact on your blood pressure so don't think just because it runs in your family there is nothing you can do about it.

2. Age-As we get older our blood vessels lose flexibility which can contribute to hypertension.

3. Gender-Up until the age of 45, a higher percentage of men have hypertension compared to women. From 45-64, the percentages are the same and after age 64, women make up the highest percentage.

4. Lack of physical activity-Exercising on a regular basis is good for your heart. Being inactive makes it easier to gain weight and become obese which are major factors for developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke down the road.

5. Poor diet-Not eating healthy can lead to someone becoming overweight and even obese. A Body Mass Index, also referred to as BMI, of 25-30 is considered overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. Excess weight can raise bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels while also decreasing your good cholesterol (HDL). You are also more likely to develop diabetes if you're overweight which is why it is so important to eat healthy.

6. Alcohol-Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. It is recommended that men drink no more than 1-2 drinks per day and women no more than 1 drink per day.

7. Stress-We all have stress in our lives sometimes but it is important to control this stress. While there is no scientific evidence that stress causes high blood pressure in the long run, controlling it is still very important. People sometimes overeat, drink excessively, or smoke under stress which can lead to several unhealthy conditions.

8. Smoking-Smoking temporarily raises your blood pressure and can damage your arteries after several years of use. We all know that smoking can have many negative effects and high blood pressure is just one of several conditions you can get from smoking and even second hand smoke.