Lifelong discrimination could lead to an increased risk for high blood pressure

The medical community is increasingly recognizing the harmful effects of systemic racism and discrimination on health, and a new study finds that lifelong discrimination could be among the reasons to explain a heightened risk of high blood pressure among Black individuals. Researchers looked at data from around 2,000 individuals enrolled in a heart study in Jackson, Miss., who didn't have hypertension when they were enrolled, and who were followed up with at least twice through 2013. More than half the group developed hypertension over the 13-year study period. Participants who scored higher on a survey measuring perceived everyday discrimination were also more likely to have developed hypertension. The findings represent an association, and future research ought to consider how discrimination as a stressor may drive other behaviors (such as dietary habits) that also result from stress.