Which factor is most associated with higher blood pressure in some populations?

• A. Younger age
• B. African American race
• C. Female sex after menopause
• D. Lower body mass

Answer: (B)

The factor being tested is the strong, population-level association between race and hypertension. In many populations, African American individuals have a higher prevalence of high blood pressure, tend to develop it earlier, and experience more severe elevations and complications than other groups. This pattern results from a mix of genetic predisposition, greater salt sensitivity, higher rates of overweight/obesity, and social determinants of health such as differences in access to care, stress, and living environments. Because of these combined influences, race can be a more consistent predictor of higher blood pressure in some populations than the other factors listed.

Younger age is generally linked to lower blood pressure, not higher. Lower body mass is also typically associated with lower blood pressure. Regarding female sex after menopause, there is indeed a rise in risk after menopause, but the overall, more pervasive disparity seen with African American race makes it the more influential factor in this context.