Hypertension is caused by lifestyle habits (drinking, smoking, stress, diet, physical activity, weight) and predetermined factors (genetics, age, ethnicity/race). Even if someone is born with a higher risk of hypertension due to genetics or ethnicity, it doesn't mean they will get it; this individual could develop lifestyle habits to prevent hypertension. Hypertension is a common cardiovascular disease (Hoeger, 2009, p. 334). Hypertension is also called “high blood pressure”. Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by blood on artery walls (About High Blood Pressure, 2011). The more pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries when the heart pumps, the higher the individual's blood pressure will be. Your blood pressure may be elevated (hypertensive) due to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, also known as atherosclerosis (Hoeger, 2009, p. 339). This buildup of plaque causes the arteries to narrow and, in turn, the heart has to pump harder to get needed blood throughout the body. Buildup of plaque in the arteries due to many factors such as diet, lack of physical activity and/or being overweight or obese. Other factors that cause hypertension include stress, race/ethnicity, age, alcohol, smoking, and genetic factors (Understanding Your Risks for High Blood Pressure, 2011). Topics such as race/ethnicity, age, and genetics cause hypertension and these are factors in your life that you cannot completely control because if you are grouped in a certain area you are automatically exposed to higher risks than others. Smoking, alcohol and stress, on the other hand, are factors that are easily manipulated and if addressed in the correct way... center paper... Art Association. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/UnderstandYourRiskforHighBloodPressure/Understand-Your-Risk-for-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_002052_Article.jsp#.TsgtfLKgmuIWeder, A. (n.d.). Genetics and hypertension. The JACQs. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75304/1/j.1524-6175.2007.06587.x.pdfWhat is high blood pressure. (n.d.). Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.ngdc.com/pages/161/what-is-high-blood-pressioneWhelton, Paul. "Hypertension." American Heart Association. Np, nd Web. November 21, 2011. http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/38/5/1112.fullWood, S. (2005, July 13). Hypertension in adults reduces life expectancy and increases years lived with cardiovascular disease. MedScape. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from www.medscape.com/viewarticle/538732