You have hypertension in the family

5 signs you're at risk for high blood pressure

You could have high blood pressure and not even know it. Find out if you're at risk and take action for better health

By Lisa Bendall

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4. You have hypertension in the family

If you have a family history of high blood pressure, that puts your own risk higher. What you may not realize is that your ethnic background makes a difference, too. “African-Americans have a slightly increased risk,” Dr. Ward says. If you’re in this group, it’s important to know that your risk may also start earlier, and the blood pressure problem is often more serious.