Who Gets High Blood Pressure?

Who Gets High Blood Pressure?

About 65 million American adults--nearly 1 in 3--have high blood pressure.

In the U.S., high blood pressure occurs more often in African Americans. Compared to other groups, blacks:
Tend to get high blood pressure earlier in life
Usually have more severe high blood pressures
Have a higher death rate from stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
Many people get high blood pressure as they get older. Over half of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure. This is not a part of healthy aging! There are things you can do to help keep your blood pressure normal, such as eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise.

Your chances of getting high blood pressure are also higher if you:
Are overweight
Are a man over the age of 45
Are a woman over the age of 55
Have a family history of high blood pressure
Have a "prehypertension (120-139/80-89)"
Other things that can raise blood pressure include:
Eating too much salt
Drinking too much alcohol
Not eating enough potassium
Not exercising
Taking certain medicines
Stress that is long-lasting