African-Americans with prehypertension develop high blood pressure a year sooner than whites

Blacks with prehypertension also have a 35% greater risk of progressing to high blood pressure than whites, according to health records of 18,865 adults 18 to 85. Prehypertension is blood pressure ranging between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg. Hypertension is 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Previous research has shown that coronary heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure are more common among blacks than whites. The fact that African-Americans progress faster to hypertension has a direct link to the higher prevalence of hypertension and its complications, such as stroke and kidney disease, in blacks than whites. The study results suggest a strong need for more aggressive early interventions and lifestyle changes for African-Americans with prehypertension. One possible explanation may be based on African Americans' greater dietary intake of salt during a lifetime.