It is further estimated that one out of every three black Americans has high blood pressure. In most cases of high blood pressure, the cause is not known. There are risk factors, however, that influence an individual's chance of getting high blood pressure. The risk factors that cannot be controlled are age, sex, race, and family history of hypertension. As we get older, blood pressure may rise.
Males are at higher risk for developing high blood pressure at an earlier age than females.
Hypertension is more prevalent among Black Americans than among White Americans and deaths from complications of high blood pressure are also more frequent and occur earlier among Blacks than Whites. Also, hypertension occurs more often in individuals with a family history of high blood pressure. There are lifestyle factors that also influence the risk of developing high blood pressure and these can be controlled. High blood pressure is detected by taking blood pressure measurements with an inflatable cuff placed around the arm. This is a painless test which takes about 30 seconds and can be done by a doctor, nurse, medical technician, or anyone who has been properly trained.