Hypertension-related mortality in California.
Death rates in California for hypertension-related diseases during 1969-71 and 1979-81 are compared. During both periods, age-standardized rates for a composite hypertension-related mortality category are highest for blacks, followed by whites, and lowest for Asians and Pacific Islanders. Filipinos who have high prevalence rates of hypertension record low rates of hypertension-related mortality. After adjusting for the comparability ratio, the age-standardized hypertension-related death rate declined by more than 28 percent between 1969-71 and 1979-81. The decrease was greatest at age 15-44 years. Of all major hypertension-related diseases, cerebrovascular diseases registered consistently large percentage declines in mortality for all age and race groupings examined. Possible reasons for the considerable decline in hypertension-related mortality and low death rates for Asians and Pacific Islanders are discussed. The combined effects of improved population awareness, level of treatment, and control of hypertension; a greater knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and associated modifications of behavior; and improved medical technology and care may have contributed to the decline.
Stavig
G R
GR
Igra
A
A
Leonard
A R
AR
McCullough
J
J
Oreglia
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors