The primary prevention of hypertension

Hypertension, and rising blood pressure with age, are common in industrialized nations, yet rare in many developing societies. There is growing evidence that this difference is due to unhealthy lifestyles which are an unnecessary by-product of modern society, and that hypertension is a largely preventable disorder. Although genes undoubtedly play a role in the development of hypertension, the available evidence supports four lifestyle factors as being especially and independently important in its etiology. These are: dietary sodium, relative body weight, alcohol drinking, and sedentary lifestyle. This review summarizes the evidence that positive alterations in these lifestyle factors should be promoted for the primary prevention of hypertension.