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Running head: HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT

Lifestyle Changes for Blood Pressure Control among African Americans
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HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT

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Lifestyle Changes for Blood Pressure Control among African Americans
Hypertension is a chronic health condition characterized by excessive force against the
blood vessels’ walls. Hypertension is prevalent in the United States where it affects about 85
million people (MacGill, 2018). However, compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S., it is
among the African Americans where hypertension is most common and destructive (Beckerman,
2017). Given that the rates of awareness and treatment African-Americans and non-Hispanic
whites, there is need to explore other nonpharmacological methods of hypertension management
among African patients (Miller, 2017). This paper will explore lifestyle modification and
education as a hypertension management options within primary care settings that could enhance
control of hypertension to prevent end-organ damage among in African Americans.
Introduction
Hypertension is a major health problem among African Americans and a contribute to
existing health disparity (Muntner et al., 2017). Lifestyle changes such as weight management,
increased physical activity, and diet adjustments can be of significant help in the management of
hypertension. Within healthcare settings, there is need to include lifestyle change interventions
that are centered on the family and community so that patient exercise self-management.
Interventions that are tailored to the behavioral norms, culture and beliefs (Miller, 2017). In the
management of hypertension, healthy lifestyle is considered the most effective approach. It has
been found to enhance the efficiency of blood pressure drugs. Blood pressure control among
African American will therefore be more effective if management efforts within primary care
settings target lifestyle changes (Miller, 2017).
Hypertension refers to the condition where the force by the blood in the arteries is high
prolonged periods that it may cause other health problems (MacGill, 2018). It is determined by

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the resistance in the arteries and the arteries and the amount of blood pumped by the heart.
Narrower arteries and the higher amount of blood pumped heart translates to higher blood
pressure. High blood pressure develops over time but is exacerbate by various factors. Race is
one of the key factors where African American are more likely to develop hypertension than
other races (Beckerman, 2017). Most of the other factors are lifestyle related and can be
modified to reduce the risk. Some of them are tobacco use, too much alcohol, low potassium
diet, high sodium diet, physical inactivity, being obese or overweight, stress, and chronic
conditions (Ortega et al., 2015).
The Spirit of Inquiry Ignited
The premature onset of high blood pressure and its prevalence in the African American
population is a major public-health problem. In addition, the target organ damage related to
blood pressure and the comorbidities that commonly occur with hypertension have increased
morbidity and mortality in this population (Ortega et al., 2015). Studies place the prevalence rate
of hypertension in non-Hispanic whites at 28.5 percent as compared to 39.1 percent in the
African American population. The level of awareness is relatively similar between the African
Americans and the non-Hispanic whites; 66.4 and 66.9 percent. The same goes for rate of
treatment which is 55 percent among the African American Americans and 53.7 percent for nonHispanic whites (Harman et al., 2013). However, just like the prevalence rate, the rate of blood
pressure control is significantly low among the Africans; at 28.9 percent compared to 35.4
percent among non-Hispanic whites. The hypertension related mortality rate is also very high
among the African Americans as to non-Hispanic whites; 52.1 versus 15.8 for men and 40.3
versus 17.5 for women (Harman et al., 2013). Other studies conducted over a long period show
that African Americans face up to five cardiovascular risk factors; twice as much as other groups

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(Ortega et al., 2015). The epidemiology of hypertension among African Americans points to the
urgent need for effective hypertension management initiatives which comprises of lifestyle
changes and antihypertensive therapy.
One aspect of hypertension that makes it dangerous is that it is mostly asymptomatic
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2018). This is why about a third of people with high blood pressure are
unaware. The only way that one would know is by regular checkups. T...