Key to a Healthy Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can run in families but it is also affected by obesity, exercise and the amount of salt regularly present in the diet. The British Heart Foundation says that lifestyle still remains the key to a healthy blood pressure.

However, recent research published in Nature by international researchers confirms a major breakthrough in understanding the role of genes in high blood pressure. There are more than 20 new sections of genetic code that are linked to blood pressure.

The lifestyle risks are well known but the genetic element of hypertension has been poorly understood. And, uncovering the genetic basis of blood pressure has revealed processes in the body which could one day be targeted with drugs.

The new findings are a welcome sign for the future by linking the genes to blood pressure control. However, your genes are only one piece of the puzzle. You are less likely to have high blood pressure if you stick to a healthy diet, do plenty of exercise, and maintain a healthy weight.