General medicine is the branch of medicine that treats common health problems and provides basic care for people of all ages. For example, a general physician might treat a cold, mild infections, or offer routine checkups for overall health maintenance.

There are two types of risk factors for hypertension: ones you can change (modifiable) and ones you can’t change (non-modifiable). Modifiable risk factors are things you can control: Unhealthy diet: Eating too much salt, fat, and cholesterol, and not enough potassium or fiber. Smoking: Using tobacco products can raise your blood pressure. Lack of exercise: Not being active or sitting too much can increase your risk. Stress: High levels of stress or worry can affect your blood pressure. Non-modifiable risk factors are things you can’t change: Age: As you get older, your risk of high blood pressure increases. Gender: Men are more likely to develop hypertension earlier in life, but women’s risk increases after menopause. Ethnicity: People of African American descent are at higher risk. Genetics: If your family members have high blood pressure, you might be more likely to get it too.