Hypertension Topic Guide

Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries, which carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. High blood pressure is when readings consistently stay at or above 130/80. Blood pressure can change during the day, but levels that stay too high damage your arteries by making them less elastic. This decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your organs, including your heart, and increases the risk of serious health problems like heart and kidney disease.

Hypertension usually develops slowly and is often linked to lifestyle factors such as not getting enough physical activity and poor diet. Conditions like diabetes, obesity, stress, anxiety, and depression can raise risk, as can pregnancy, family history, and environment. Healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, not smoking, and taking medications when needed can help prevent or manage hypertension.

American Indian/Alaska Native

In 2024, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults were 15% less likely to have diagnosed hypertension than U.S. adults overall. In 2022, AI/AN people were 13% less likely than the U.S. population overall to die from essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease. In 2021, AI/AN adults with hypertension were 2% more likely than all U.S. adults with hypertension to use anti-hypertensive medication.

For additional data on hypertension and American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.

Asian American

In 2024, Asian American adults were 20% less likely to have diagnosed hypertension than U.S. adults overall. In 2022, Asian Americans were 14% less likely than the U.S. population overall to die from essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease. From 2017 to 2020, Asian American adults with hypertension were 13% less likely to have their blood pressure under control than all U.S. adults with hypertension.

For additional data on hypertension and Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.

Black/African American

In 2024, Black/African American adults were 26% more likely to have diagnosed hypertension than U.S. adults overall. In 2022, Black/African Americans were 85% more likely than the U.S. population overall to die from essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease. From 2017 to 2020, Black/African American adults with hypertension were 18% less likely to have their blood pressure under control than all U.S. adults with hypertension.

For additional data on hypertension and Black/African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.

Hispanic/Latino

In 2024, Hispanic/Latino adults were 29% less likely to have diagnosed hypertension than U.S. adults overall. In 2022, Hispanics/Latinos were 9% less likely than the U.S. population overall to die from essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease. From 2017 to 2020, Hispanic/Latino adults with hypertension were 9% less likely to have their blood pressure under control than all U.S. adults with hypertension.

For additional data on hypertension and Hispanics/Latinos, please visit our Population Profiles.

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

In 2024, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults were 2% more likely to have diagnosed hypertension than U.S. adults overall. In 2022, NHPI people were 15% more likely than the U.S. population overall to die from essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease. In 2021, NHPI adults with hypertension were about as likely as all U.S. adults with hypertension to use anti-hypertensive medication.

For additional data on hypertension and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.