Hypertension is more prevalent, appears at an earlier age, is more likely to be associated with end-organ complications, and is less likely to be treated with traditional therapies in African Americans compared to Americans of European descent. Epidemiological associations have been made between the excess burden of hypertension in this population group and some biological, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors. These associations might be used as a starting point that guides research to identify the cause(s) for the higher proportion of African Americans with hypertension. At present, such associations can help in the design of risk factor intervention strategies.