The exact cause, however, is still unknown. We do know that about a third of African Americans have high blood pressure, develop it earlier in life and have more severe cases of the disease than do white Americans. Lifestyle changes can keep a person's high blood pressure in check. One of the most important changes is weight loss. One study showed that overweight women were seven times more likely to develop hypertension than normal weight women.
Exercise is also key.
Exercise lowered severe hypertension in 46 African American men in a 1995 study, and as a result, the men were able to lower the amount of hypertension medication they were taking. Though the jury is still out on whether salt consumption is definitely linked to all forms of hypertension, we know there are some people whose disease is linked to salt sensitivity. For them, cutting back on salt use is a good recommendation. If you smoke, you should quit. Your doctor may also suggest you cut back on drinking alcohol.