The cardiologist I saw when my BP was called into question highlighted the 3 main factors concerning BP - genetics (about which you can do nothing), Age (again nothing you can do) and diet/exercise (which you can do something about but has so little effect compared to the other two.
Like so much in life it is a bit of a lottery.
Helonorth - as for cheeseburgers - no, not me. I have always kept myself fit and healthy but all the good diet and exercise in the world won't make my BP at 58 the same as it was at 18.
My very mild hypertension was massively reduced by a very small dose of Ramipril and my ECG and echocardiograms show a completely healthy heart - we are fortunate as pilots having to conform to Class 1 and military medical standards - unlike many, we get investigated and treated before it is too late.
Sas - you're not wrong there
