How Does Ethnicity Affect My Risk Of Developing High Blood Pressure?

— -- Question: How does ethnicity affect my risk of developing high blood pressure?

Answer: Ethnicity or sometimes referred to as race may affect one's risk of developing high blood pressure in that we do see differences in levels of blood pressure and the incidence and prevalence of high blood pressure in certain ethnic groups such as African-Americans. We see a higher rate of high blood pressure.

So, whether or not that's genetics or whether it's environment and having to do with eating habits, weight, lack of exercise and other risk factors we're not entirely sure. But it does affect it.