Elevated levels of uric acid, a natural waste product normally excreted in urine, have been found to have a predictive role for high blood pressure in African Americans. This, according to a recent study from researches at Wake Forest University.
Overall, people with uric acid levels in the top 25% of the study group had a 15% higher chance of developing high blood pressure. The new data shows an even stronger link in African American men, where members of the top 25% were more than 200% more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with normal uric acid levels.
Uric acid is an attractive marker for high blood pressure prediction because a simple blood test can determine how much is present in the body. Additionally, effective drugs already exist which lower levels of uric acid, potentially offering a new tool for high blood pressure prevention.
