It is yielding critical data on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, the Framingham Heart Study represents a predominantly white population and the new study's findings may not apply to minority groups who are more likely to suffer the most severe forms of hypertension. About 50 million U.S. adults have hypertension. Untreated hypertension can damage the kidneys and lead to stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. The systolic pressure is the pressure of blood in the vessels when the heart contracts.
Diastolic pressure is the pressure of the blood between heartbeats when the heart is at rest.