African-Americans discuss dangers of Hypertension

Hypertension is a concern for African-Americans who do not monitor their diets on a regular basis.
Hypertension, sometimes referred as the silent killer, is a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg-a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90.
“Everybody should have regular check-ups to ensure that their bodies are not headed for breakdown due to high blood pressure,” said Meghan Borne, a sophomore psychology major from Edgar.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart attack, heart failure and/or kidney failure.
According to NetWellness.com, about 35 percent of African-Americans have hypertension, which accounts for 20 percent of the African-American deaths in the U.S.
“My grandmother and two of my aunts suffer from high blood pressure, that’s why I’m taking all of the necessary precautions early in life, in order to prevent such conditions,” said Maree Reed, a junior mass communication major from Long Beach, Calif.
African-Americans with high blood pressure have a four times greater risk of developing hypertension related end stage kidney disease than the general population.
“High blood pressure affects African Americans tremendously,” said Terica Adkins, a sophomore music education major from Gentilly. “I try to stay away from foods that are high in fat and use an excess amount of grease to be prepared.”
Based on research from NetWellness.com, African-Americans with high blood pressure have an 80 percent higher chance of dying from a stroke than in the general population.
African-Americans and people of African descent in the United Kingdom have the highest rates of hypertension of any race or ethnic type in the world.
“Several of my relatives have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and as a result, they now watch what they eat, take prescribed medication and get regular check-ups,” said Chaz Handy, a junior secondary education major from Baton Rouge.