Black Americans have more risk factors for high blood pressure (hypertension), than other racial groups. For example, black women are more likely than white women to be extremely overweight or obese and/or diabetic, both of which are among the risk factors for hypertension:
Overweight or obesity. The heavier people are, the greater their risk of disease. Obesity (more than 20 percent over one’s ideal weight or body mass index greater than 30) increases the risk of disease to high or even “extremely high” levels, but just being overweight is a serious risk factor, too. These statistics are particularly important for black American women, who are significantly more likely to be overweight than white women, white men or black American men. Research shows that more than two-thirds of all black American women are not getting enough exercise.
Diabetes. Perhaps because obesity is linked to both type 2 diabetes and hypertension, diabetics are more likely to have hypertension than nondiabetics. Black Americans are also more likely to be diabetic than white Americans are. In contrast with white women, black American women are about 50 percent more likely to have diabetes. Black American men are also more likely to have diabetes than white men.
High stress levels. Stress contributes to heart disease by elevating blood pressure, and studies have shown that people who are under stress are more likely to suffer from heart attacks, high blood pressure and other forms of disease.
Smoking. A major risk factor for hypertension – as well as lung cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and many other illnesses – is smoking. Although blacks and whites are currently smoking at about equal rates, black Americans tend to smoke particularly dangerous brands of cigarettes that are high in nicotine and tar. Furthermore, researchers have found that at least some tobacco companies are specifically targeting the black American community. One study found significantly more cigarette ads in three popular black American magazines than more general publications.
Excessive alcohol use. Studies have consistently found a link between alcohol use and elevated blood pressure, as well as irreversible heart failure (alcoholic cardiomyopathy).
Fat in the diet. A diet high in saturated fat contributes to obesity. There are a number of strategies for reducing the amount of fat in daily meals. In general, the goal is to eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet.
Salt sensitivity. After eating salt, people who are salt-sensitive tend to show elevations in blood pressure that can be quite dramatic. Salt sensitivity can be particularly dangerous in the United States, where the average person consumes at least nine grams of sodium per day, with many Americans eating more than 12 grams daily. (The body requires only about half a gram of sodium per day, and the American Heart Association recommends that people consume no more than 2.4 grams per day.) Research has shown that black Americans tend to be more salt-sensitive than white Americans, and as many as 80 percent of black Americans with high blood pressure may be salt-sensitive.
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