Black women treated for high blood pressure in their 30s and 40s may face a significantly higher risk of experiencing a stroke compared to their peers without a history of high blood pressure treatment, according to recent research. The study, slated for presentation at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference, disclosed that Black women under 35 who underwent treatment for high blood pressure had triple the risk of suffering a stroke. Additionally, those who developed the condition before the age of 45 had double the risk. Drawing on data from the Black Women’s Health Study, which involved 59,000 Black women in the U.S., the findings underscore the imperative for heightened attention to high blood pressure screening and treatment for Black women across their entire lifespan to mitigate the risk of strokes. Given the notably high rates of hypertension among Black adults in the U.S., addressing this health disparity becomes crucial for public health.
