More than 40 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have high blood pressure. If you're African-American, there's a good chance that you, a relative or an African-American friend has the disease, which is also known as HBP or hypertension. Not only is HBP more severe in blacks than whites, but it also develops earlier in life.

Perhaps higher rates of obesity and diabetes place African-Americans at greater risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. Researchers have also found that there may be a gene that makes African-Americans much more salt sensitive. This trait increases the risk of developing HBP. In people who have this gene, as little as one extra gram of salt (half a teaspoon) could raise blood pressure as much as five millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/12/2009.