Health & Wellness| American Heart Month

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The prevalence of high blood pressure among Black people in the United States is among the highest in the world. About 55% of Black adults have hypertension:

Genetic factors:

High rates of high blood pressure in Black people may be due to the genetic makeup of people of African descent. Researchers have uncovered some facts: In the U.S., Black people respond differently to high blood pressure drugs than do other groups of people. African Americans also seem to be more sensitive to salt, which increases the risk of having high blood pressure.

Environmental factors:

Some scientists believe that high blood pressure in Black people is due to things unique to the experience of African Americans. Black people worldwide have rates of high blood pressure that are similar to that of white people. But in the U.S., the difference is dramatic: 41% of African Americans have high blood pressure, as compared to 27% of white Americans. In addition, Black people in the U.S are more likely to be overweight than Black people in other countries. Some experts think that social and economic factors – including discrimination and economic inequality – are responsible for this difference.

Being Black is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Others include:

• Increased age

• Excessive weight

• A family history of high blood pressure

• Having diabetes

• Inactivity

• Lots of salt and fat in your diet

• Not getting enough potassium

• Smoking