Effect of urbanisation on blood pressure in Ethiopian immigrants.
Blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight were measured in a group of Ethiopian immigrants who arrived in Israel in 1991 after waiting some 6 months in Addis Ababa. The findings were compared with a previous group of Ethiopians who immigrated immediately after physical hardships and malnutrition. The recent arrivals had higher BP levels and higher Quetelet indices than the earlier group. BP values of > 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic were found in 15 of 102 newcomers (14.7%) in 1991, in contrast to < 1% in the earlier group. Our findings demonstrate an important effect of urbanisation in the same environment on rise in BP, probably through changes in lifestyle.
Grossman
E
E
Chorley Hypertension Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Rosenthal
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014507:Urbanization