Hypertension among Hispanic elders of a Caribbean origin in Massachusetts.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension in Hispanic elders, ages 60-92 years, living in Massachusetts.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
State of Massachusetts.


METHODS
A representative sample of 597 Hispanics of Caribbean origin (77% Puerto Ricans and 23% Dominicans) and 243 non-Hispanic Whites from the same neighborhoods.


METHODS
Blood pressure, income, health behaviors, chronic conditions, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.


RESULTS
Hypertension was prevalent in all groups: 66% for Puerto Rican and 73% Dominican men, 69% for non-Hispanic White men; and 75%, 76%, and 74% for women in these groups, respectively. Twenty-one percent of Puerto Rican and 15% of Dominican women had systolic hypertension, compared to 9% for non-Hispanic White women (P < .01 anti P < .05, respectively). The prevalence of systolic hypertension was 14% and 21% for Puerto Rican and Dominican men, compared to 13% for non-Hispanic White men (not significant). Puerto Rican women with hypertension were less likely to have their blood pressure under control than were non-Hispanic While women. Puerto Rican and Dominican elders remained more than 2.6 times more likely to have systolic hypertension than non-Hispanic White elders after adjusting potential confounders.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension is prevalent in this population and systolic hypertension is more prevalent among Hispanic vs non-Hispanic White elders. Investigation of genetic or other factors associated with this apparent excess risk of systolic hypertension among elderly Hispanics, particularly among women, is warranted.
Lin
Hai
H
Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Bermudez
Odilia I
OI
Falcon
Luis M
LM
Tucker
Katherine L
KL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014900:West Indies / Q000208:ethnology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents