Approximately 50 million Americans have hypertension. That is one out of every four adults. If you are African American, make that one out of three. High blood pressure tends to run in families. It strikes more often in people over 35 years old, and by age 65, more than half of us will have high blood pressure. Women are especially susceptible after menopause. Birth control pills may cause hypertension in some women. Although more common in adults, hypertension can still affect young adults and even children. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to have hypertension.