Hypertension in black people: study of specific genotypes and phenotypes will provide a greater understanding of interindividual and interethnic variability in blood pressure regulation than studies based on race.

Hypertension is more frequent and more severe in some Black populations. Although many studies have focused on hypertension in black people in an attempt to understand the genetic and environmental factors that regulate blood pressure, this approach has not been productive. Study of the relationship between specific phenotypes and genotypes, both within and across ethnic groups, is more likely to advance our understanding of the regulation of blood pressure than studies focused on race and blood pressure.