African American Women and Hypertension - Are You At Risk?

It has been discovered that hypertension is most prevalent amongst African Americans that any other population within the United States. The disease is not easily detected; therefore it remains dormant for many years; as African Americans rarely commit to regular doctor visits.

Unfortunately, before African Americans seek medical attention, the blood pressure has elevated to life- threatening levels. One of the primary target campaigns conducted by the Department of Health is to research and reduce the devastating effects of African American Women and Hypertension.

Overall, African Americans develop hypertension at an earlier age than whites; thereby subjected to a variety of serious health problems at alarming rates. Studies have proven that there is an 80percent higher death rate amongst African Americans due to stroke associated with hypertension.

There is a 50 percent higher death rate due to heart disease associated with high blood pressure. More so, there is a 320percent higher death rate associated with end- stage kidney disease. Many African Americans live with hypertension for so long; it has already begun to damage organs of the body.

African American women between the ages of 18 and 45 are being diagnosed with high blood pressure. As noted, the disease is a significant cause for heart disease and stroke in these women at such a young age. Simply treating high blood pressure will reduce the risk of further complications and illnesses.

Treatment for African American women with high blood pressure can vary from lifestyle changes to medications just as anyone else. Because the risk to develop the disease is so much higher, however, it is so important to adhere to the treatments. African American women do not engage in a sufficient amount of physical activity. Research discovered that African American women are too involved with other activity to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine.

In addition to exercise, other lifestyle modifications include loosing weight if overweight or obese, decreasing alcohol intake and eating a low- sodium diet. It is recommended that the African American woman include natural remedies in their diet such as herbs and vitamins while reducing fat and cholesterol. Natural supplements such as potassium and magnesium can also reduce blood pressure.

Blood pressure levels may increase if the African American woman is taking any type of oral contraceptive. A physician should offer the patient alternate methods of birth control. For instance, hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women has proven to minimize affects on blood pressure.

Physicians will often treat the hypertension with more than one medication. One of the drugs given to African American women is the Diurectic or Water Pill. Some of the over-the-counter drugs actually complicates hypertension causing the pressure to elevate and interferes with the prescription medication.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African American women and hypertension is presenting itself in higher rates than in White or Hispanic women. More over, there is a higher risk for severe high blood pressure in African American women due to unhealthy lifestyles as well as contributing genetic or environmental factors.

It is recommended that the African American woman visits a physician to check blood pressure levels regularly. It is also beneficial to have a personal checking device at home. Because the risk for hypertension is so high amongst this population, they are more at risk to fall victim to heart disease, stroke or kidney failure. It is recommended that African American women make serious lifestyle modifications to reduce the inevitable chance of developing hypertension.

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