If you're black, pay special attention to your blood pressure — even if you think you're healthy.
That's because high blood pressure (hypertension) affects certain groups of people differently than others. And for black people in the United States, high blood pressure often occurs earlier in life, is more severe and has more complications.
Find out why you may be at greater risk of high blood pressure if you're black and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
Why being black increases your risk of high blood pressure
If you're black and living in the United States, you're more likely than a person of another race to develop hypertension, and to develop it earlier in your life. Not only that, once you have the disease, you're more likely to have severe complications, such as stroke, kidney failure and heart disease. In addition, blacks often don't get treatment until their blood pressure has been high for so long that vital organs have already started to suffer damage.
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Researchers are still studying precisely why some blacks are at greater risk.
The issue essentially boils down to the age-old nature vs. nurture debate.
- Genetic susceptibility (nature). Genetics has historically been blamed for a higher rate of hypertension among blacks. That thinking has been supported by evidence that blacks as a group respond differently to certain blood pressure medications and are more sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of sodium. Newer data, however, indicate that blacks living traditional lifestyles in rural African countries experience few
blood pressure problems. This may point the finger, instead, at environmental causes.
- Environment (nurture). Worldwide, the rate of hypertension among blacks is not unusually high compared with that of whites. In the United States, though, about 41 percent of blacks have hypertension, compared with 27 percent of whites. Some researchers suggest that difference is the result of socioeconomic disparities between blacks and whites. Blacks have a higher rate of obesity, may eat a diet high in sodium and low in potassium, and may experience more socioeconomic stress because of societal prejudices. All of those are linked with high blood pressure.
A healthy lifestyle is important regardless of skin color
For researchers, resolving these issues is important because doing so can help improve the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure among blacks in general. While researchers continue to grapple with these issues, you can take steps today to care for yourself and your family members.
No matter what your skin color, certain unhealthy lifestyle habits can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure or interfere with your efforts to lower your blood pressure when it's too high. You can minimize your lifestyle-related risks by following these guidelines:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Reduce sodium in your diet.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke.
- Cope with stress in a positive way.
In addition, talk to your doctor about how often you should get your blood pressure checked. Although most healthy adults need a check-up only every two years, if you're black, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more frequently — perhaps annually — since you're at a higher risk.
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Following these kinds of healthy habits can also benefit black youngsters because of the increased risk of hypertension they face. If you're concerned about your child's health, talk to his or her pediatrician about age-specific blood pressure goals.
Treating high blood pressure when you're black
Anyone can develop dangerous complications from high blood pressure. But if you're black, these complications tend to be more severe and are more likely to result in death.
Complications include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Blindness
- Dementia
Treating your high blood pressure effectively can help reduce your chance of these complications. Living a healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of treating high blood pressure. But many people also must take blood pressure medications
(antihypertensives).
Your doctor may recommend that you first try a thiazide-type diuretic — the same general recommendation as for white people starting medication treatment. Your doctor may also suggest taking a calcium antagonist (calcium channel blocker), either by itself or along with a diuretic.
If you have severe high blood pressure or complications, you might need additional medications.
The goal is to reduce your blood pressure to at least 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg. Getting it even lower is better for your health.
Taking charge pays off in the long run
Although you may be more likely to develop high blood pressure and face a greater risk of complications than your white counterparts, don't get discouraged.
The good news is that if you follow a healthy lifestyle and stick with your treatment regimen, your blood pressure is likely to respond well. And you'll reap the same rewards for controlling your blood pressure that anyone would — a longer and healthier life.
