Insights on Hypertension Among African Americans: A Comprehensive Overview
In the United States, hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant health concern, particularly among African American individuals. This article aims to shed light on the factors contributing to the high prevalence of hypertension in this community.
For those who suspect they may have high blood pressure or have several risk factors, it's crucial to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment discussion. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) provide guidelines for treatment based on the severity of high blood pressure. Stage 2 hypertension, with a top number of 140 or higher and a bottom number of 90 or higher, typically requires medication.
Research has shown that African American people are more likely to have resistant hypertension, a condition where blood pressure does not drop in response to medication. This could be due to genetic predispositions, as African Americans have been found to display traits like increased salt sensitivity, which contributes to earlier onset and more severe hypertension compared to other populations.
However, genetics alone do not fully explain the disparity. Social determinants also play a significant role. Structural racism embedded in employment, education, healthcare, and housing leads to unequal health outcomes. Even among African Americans with higher socioeconomic status or education, hypertension prevalence and related complications remain higher than in White individuals with lower socioeconomic status.
Discrimination and bias limit opportunities for African Americans to access stable jobs and quality care, contributing indirectly to hypertension risk. Healthcare disparities exacerbate the problem, with African Americans experiencing lower blood pressure control rates despite often higher awareness and treatment rates.
The overall prevalence of high blood pressure is 54% among non-Hispanic Black adults, compared with 46% in non-Hispanic white adults, 39% in non-Hispanic Asian adults, and 36% in Hispanic adults. By the age of 55, 75.5% of Black men and 75.7% of Black women developed hypertension, compared to 54.5% of white men and 40% of white women.
Lifestyle changes such as eating less salt, getting more exercise, and losing weight are often recommended for treating high blood pressure. Home blood pressure monitors and kiosks at pharmacies, malls, and other locations can be used for self-monitoring, but it's important to choose a monitor that fits properly for accurate readings.
It's important to note that being Black is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Other risk factors include smoking, family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, high alcohol intake, high salt or high fat diet, obesity, older age, and exposure to race-related stress.
Recent studies have documented a pattern of racism against Black people seeking healthcare, showing that doctors may not listen to their concerns, may delay treatment, or may not recommend appropriate treatment. This further underscores the need for increased awareness, improved healthcare access, and the elimination of racial bias in the medical field.
In conclusion, beyond lifestyle factors, African Americans face a combination of genetic susceptibility, systemic social inequities, and healthcare access and quality gaps that collectively contribute to the high prevalence and poor control of hypertension in this group. A comprehensive approach, addressing both medical and socioeconomic factors, is necessary to address this public health issue.
- African Americans are more likely to have resistant hypertension, a condition where blood pressure does not respond to medication, due to genetic predispositions that lead to increased salt sensitivity.
- The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) provide guidelines for treating high blood pressure, with Stage 2 hypertension typically requiring medication.
- Social determinants, such as employment, education, healthcare, and housing inequalities, contribute significantly to the high prevalence of hypertension in African Americans, even among those with higher socioeconomic status.
- Discrimination and bias indirectly contribute to hypertension risk by limiting opportunities for African Americans to access stable jobs and quality care.
- Other risk factors for high blood pressure include smoking, family history of hypertension, diabetes, high alcohol intake, high salt or high fat diet, obesity, older age, and exposure to race-related stress.
- Lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, increasing exercise, and losing weight, are recommended for treating high blood pressure, and home blood pressure monitors can be used for self-monitoring.
- A comprehensive approach, addressing both medical and socioeconomic factors, is essential to effectively address the high prevalence and poor control of hypertension in the African American community, highlighting the need for increased awareness, improved healthcare access, and the elimination of racial bias in the medical field.
