[Hypertension in people of African descent]

Hypertension in people of African descent presents an increased prevalence, an earlier and more severe target organ damage and is harder to control compared to other ethnicities. Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are more frequent in black women. The physiological phenomenon of night time blood pressure dipping is often blunted. The low renin hypertension phenotype seems to be caused by an increase in sodium retention at renal level. The treatment of choice is calcium channel blockers and thiazide diuretics along with a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blocker for kidney protection. Addition of spironolactone or amiloride is advised for resistant hypertension. A diet poor in sodium and rich in potassium is recommended.