or=to160/95 mm Hg and/or taking antihypertensive medication) over 7 years of follow-up was nearly identical: 25.7% in African Americans and 25.3% in whites. Baseline age, gender, blood pressure, and heart rate were all associated with the incidence of hypertension. Even after adjustment for these covariables, the risk of hypertension was not higher in African Americans compared with whites. These results indicate that middle-aged African Americans and whites have a similar risk of developing hypertension given the same age, initial blood pressure, and body mass index at baseline. (Hypertension. 1998;31:1130-1135.)