A new study finds that people’s race may influence how quickly they develop high blood pressure.
In the study, reported in the October issue of the journal Hypertension, researchers followed a group of nearly 19,000 adults living in the southeastern United States who didn’t have high blood pressure at the start of the study. About 70 percent were white and the rest of the participants were black.
The researchers found that 626 days passed before half of the African-American participants developed hypertension, compared to 991 days for whites – which was a full year faster. Black participants were also 35 percent more likely to progress from prehypertension to hypertension.
The ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80. If yours falls between this number and 139/89, you have prehypertension. Once you hit 140/90, your blood pressure is in the “high” territory.
About 25 percent of American adults have prehypertension. No matter your age or race, having prehypertension doesn’t mean you’re out of danger until you develop actual high blood pressure. Merely having somewhat high blood pressure may mean that your chance of having a major cardiovascular problem – such as a heart attack – is 50 to 100 percent higher compared to someone with normal blood pressure.
Earlier research has found that blacks are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes than whites. According to the lead researcher of the new study, the fact that black individuals develop hypertension faster is directly linked to their higher numbers of strokes and kidney disease, which are complications of high blood pressure.
If you notice that your blood pressure is a little high, consider it a sign that you should take action now before it ventures any further upward. Your blood pressure could already be quietly damaging your heart, brain, and other organs. Talk to your doctor about what you need to do to help protect your cardiovascular health, such as going on medications to lower your blood pressure (and blood sugar or cholesterol if needed), exercising more, and changing your diet.
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