Defining Hypertension by Blood Pressure 130/80 mm Hg Leads to an Impressive Burden of Hypertension in Young and Middle‐Aged Black Adults: Follow‐Up in the CARDIA Study

Background Blacks have higher blood pressure levels compared with whites beginning in childhood. Few data are available on racial differences in the incidence of hypertension from young adulthood through middle age. Methods and Results We calculated the cumulative incidence of hypertension from age 18 to 55 years among participants in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study. Incident hypertension was defined by the first visit with mean systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg, mean diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mm Hg, or self‐reported use of antihypertensive medication. Among 3890 participants without hypertension at baseline (aged 18–30 years), cumulative incidence of hypertension by age 55 years was 75.5%, 75.7%, 54.5%, and 40.0% in black men, black women, white men, and white women, respectively. Among participants with systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure