Table 2.
Reported causes of hypertension
| Perceived causes of hypertension | Countries, studies |
|---|---|
| Stress | Brazil31 61 64 67;Canada35 62;Denmark65; Ghana69; Israel38; Netherlands21 22 23 (2 studies); South Korea48; Tanzania70; Thailand60; UK18 57 68; USA24 25 27 31 33 40 49 52 76 |
| Food | Brazil32 61 64 67; Canada35; Israel38; Netherlands21 22; USA24 31 33 34 41 44 52 76; UK56 68 |
| Being overweight | Brazil64 67; Netherlands22; South Korea48; Tanzania70; UK56 68; USA76 |
| Family history | Canada35; Netherlands21 22; USA27 33 40; Brazil32 67; South Korea48; UK56 |
| Lack of exercise | Brazil67; Netherlands22;South Korea48; USA31 76 |
| Alcohol | Brazil67; Canada35; Netherlands22; UK57 68; USA24 |
| Heat | Brazil32; Israel38; Thailand60; USA24 |
| Smoking | Canada35; UK56; USA24 |
| Pregnancy | Canada35; Tanzania70 |
| Witchcraft/spirits | Canada35 Israel38 |
| Exposure to cold | Canada35 |
| Too much water | USA24 |
| Over-exertion | Canada35 |
| Hysterectomy | Canada35 |
| Diabetes | Canada35 |
| Blood transfusion | Canada35 |
| Exposure to farm chemicals | Canada35 |
| Eye strain | Canada35 |
| Nightmares | Canada35 |
| Thick blood | USA40 |
| Blood rising | USA24 40 |
| Bad climate | Netherlands23 |
| Kidneys | USA27 |
| Resistance to blood flow | USA27 |
| Heart pumping harder | USA33 |
| Too much blood | Israel38 |