A 2026 cohort study of 2,572 Middle Eastern and North African Americans found that 18% have high blood pressure—lower than the general U.S. population. Among those with high blood pressure, 76% take medication and 85% achieve good control. According to Gram Research analysis, diabetes, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency are the strongest predictors of developing high blood pressure in this community.
A major study of Middle Eastern and North African Americans found that high blood pressure affects about 1 in 5 of them—lower than the general U.S. population. However, when these adults do have high blood pressure, they’re doing well at treating it: 76% take medication and 85% keep their blood pressure under control. The research, which analyzed data from over 2,500 people, also discovered that conditions like diabetes, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency increase the risk of developing high blood pressure in this community. This is the first large study to focus specifically on this population, filling an important gap in health research.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cohort study of 2,572 Middle Eastern and North African adults in the United States found that 18% had high blood pressure, which is significantly lower than the 33-35% rate in the general U.S. adult population.
Among 463 Middle Eastern and North African Americans with high blood pressure in the study, 85% achieved blood pressure control (readings below 140/90 mm Hg at least half the time), indicating effective treatment outcomes.
The 2026 All of Us Research Program analysis identified 11 significant predictors of high blood pressure in Middle Eastern and North African Americans, with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease being the strongest risk factors.
Younger participants (age 50 and under) in the study achieved significantly higher blood pressure control rates (97%) compared to those over 50 (83%), suggesting age-related challenges in managing hypertension.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How common high blood pressure is among Middle Eastern and North African adults living in the United States, and what factors make it more likely to develop.
- Who participated: 2,572 Middle Eastern and North African adults aged 18 and older living in the U.S. who had their blood pressure measured at least once at a doctor’s office between 2000 and 2024.
- Key finding: 18% of participants had high blood pressure. Among those with high blood pressure, 76% were taking medication and 85% had their blood pressure under control (below 140/90 mm Hg at least half the time).
- What it means for you: If you’re Middle Eastern or North African American, your risk of high blood pressure may be lower than average, but if you develop it, treatment is working well for most people. Controlling other health conditions like diabetes and maintaining healthy weight are important prevention strategies.
The Research Details
Researchers looked back at health records from 2,572 Middle Eastern and North African adults who participated in the All of Us Research Program, a large national health study. They checked who had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and looked at their blood pressure measurements over time. They also examined what other health conditions these people had to understand what increases the risk of developing high blood pressure.
The study used a special method called logistic regression to figure out which factors were most strongly connected to high blood pressure. This is like finding patterns in data—if people with diabetes were more likely to have high blood pressure, that would show up as a pattern. The researchers looked at many different factors including age, sex, weight, other diseases, and vitamin levels.
This research is important because Middle Eastern and North African Americans have been largely invisible in health research. For decades, these groups were often misclassified in medical records or lumped together with other populations, making it impossible to understand their specific health needs. This study is one of the first to look specifically at this community’s blood pressure health, which helps doctors understand who needs extra attention and prevention.
This study has several strengths: it includes a large number of people (2,572), uses actual medical records rather than just surveys, and focuses on a population that has been historically overlooked. However, the study only looked at people who participated in the All of Us program, so results may not represent all Middle Eastern and North African Americans. The study is also relatively recent (2000-2024 data), so findings reflect current health patterns.
What the Results Show
Among the 2,572 Middle Eastern and North African adults studied, 463 people (18%) had high blood pressure. This is notably lower than the rate in the general U.S. adult population, which is around 33-35%. Among the 463 people with high blood pressure, 352 (76%) were taking blood pressure medication, and 400 (85%) had achieved good blood pressure control, meaning their readings stayed below 140/90 mm Hg at least half the time they visited the doctor.
Interestingly, younger people (age 50 and under) were much better at controlling their blood pressure than older people. Among those 50 and younger, 97% achieved good control, compared to only 83% of those over 50. This suggests that blood pressure becomes harder to manage as people age, which is a common pattern seen in other populations too.
The research identified 11 factors that significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure in this population. The strongest predictors were having diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and obesity. Additional risk factors included being male, getting older, having anxiety, vitamin D deficiency, and anemia. This suggests that managing these other conditions is crucial for preventing high blood pressure.
The study found that vitamin D deficiency and anemia were associated with higher rates of high blood pressure, which is an interesting finding that hasn’t been as well-studied in this population before. These connections suggest that checking vitamin D levels and treating anemia might be part of a comprehensive approach to preventing high blood pressure. The fact that anxiety was also identified as a predictor highlights the connection between mental health and physical health conditions.
According to Gram Research analysis, this is the first large study to specifically examine high blood pressure in Middle Eastern and North African Americans using modern health data. Previous research either didn’t include this population or grouped them with other categories, making it impossible to see their specific patterns. The finding that this population has lower high blood pressure rates than the general U.S. population is surprising and suggests either protective factors in this community or differences in how health conditions develop. The high rates of treatment and control among those with high blood pressure are encouraging and suggest that when people in this community receive care, they respond well to treatment.
The study only included people who volunteered for the All of Us Research Program, so results may not represent all Middle Eastern and North African Americans. People who participate in health research programs may be different from those who don’t—they might be more health-conscious or have better access to healthcare. The study relied on medical records, so it only counted people whose doctors had diagnosed them with high blood pressure; some people with undiagnosed high blood pressure wouldn’t be included. Additionally, the study couldn’t determine cause and effect—for example, while vitamin D deficiency was associated with high blood pressure, we can’t say that low vitamin D causes high blood pressure.
The Bottom Line
If you’re Middle Eastern or North African American: (1) Get your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you’re over 50; (2) If you have diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease, work closely with your doctor to manage these conditions, as they significantly increase high blood pressure risk; (3) Maintain a healthy weight and get screened for sleep apnea; (4) Ask your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels; (5) If you’re prescribed blood pressure medication, take it as directed—the data shows it works well for this population. Confidence level: Moderate to High for these recommendations, as they’re based on identified risk factors.
This research is most relevant for Middle Eastern and North African Americans, their families, and healthcare providers serving these communities. It’s also important for public health officials and researchers working on health equity. If you’re from this background and have risk factors like diabetes or obesity, this information is especially relevant for you. The findings also matter for anyone interested in health disparities and ensuring all communities are included in health research.
If you start managing risk factors like weight and other health conditions, you may see improvements in blood pressure within weeks to months. However, for some people, it takes 3-6 months of consistent lifestyle changes to see significant results. If medication is needed, many people see improvements within days to weeks, though it may take several weeks to find the right dose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Middle Eastern and North African Americans have higher rates of high blood pressure?
No, a 2026 study of 2,572 people found that 18% of Middle Eastern and North African Americans have high blood pressure, which is actually lower than the 33-35% rate in the general U.S. population, though more research is needed to understand why.
What health conditions increase high blood pressure risk in Middle Eastern Americans?
Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and obesity are the strongest predictors. Vitamin D deficiency and anemia were also associated with higher blood pressure in this population.
How well does blood pressure medication work for Middle Eastern and North African Americans?
Very well: 76% of people with high blood pressure in the study were taking medication, and 85% achieved good blood pressure control, suggesting this population responds effectively to treatment when it’s provided.
Why is this research important for Middle Eastern and North African Americans?
This is the first large study specifically examining high blood pressure in this community. Historically, they were misclassified or underrepresented in health research, making it impossible to understand their specific health needs and develop targeted prevention strategies.
What can I do to prevent high blood pressure if I’m Middle Eastern or North African American?
Manage other health conditions like diabetes and obesity, maintain a healthy weight, get screened for sleep apnea, check vitamin D levels, and get regular blood pressure checks—especially if you’re over 50, as control becomes more difficult with age.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your blood pressure readings at home at least twice weekly, recording the date, time, and reading (systolic/diastolic numbers). Note any patterns related to stress, sleep, or diet to identify personal triggers.
- Set a weekly reminder to check one modifiable risk factor: measure your weight, assess sleep quality, track vitamin D intake through food or supplements, or monitor anxiety levels. Focus on one factor for two weeks before adding another.
- Create a monthly dashboard showing your blood pressure trend, medication adherence rate, and progress on secondary factors (weight, sleep apnea screening status, vitamin D levels if tested). Share this with your healthcare provider quarterly to adjust your prevention plan.
This research provides important information about high blood pressure patterns in Middle Eastern and North African Americans, but it should not replace personalized medical advice. If you have high blood pressure or risk factors for it, consult with your healthcare provider about screening, treatment options, and prevention strategies tailored to your individual health situation. This study identifies associations between certain conditions and high blood pressure but does not prove that one causes the other. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding blood pressure monitoring and medication.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.