Genetic and environmental influences on blood pressure and pulse pressure among adult African Americans.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to identify sources of variability for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) in a sample of adult African-American twins.


METHODS
The classic twin design was employed to examine genetic and environmental sources of variance in the outcome measures of interest.


METHODS
Participants were 143 (71 MZ and 72 DZ) same-sex, intact twin pairs (mean age = 49.87 years; SD 13.62), who took part in the Carolina African-American Twin Study of Aging (CAATSA).


METHODS
Outcome measures of interest included SBP and DBP, and PP.


RESULTS
For older twins, heritabilities were .52 for SBP, .36 for DBP, and .14 for PP. However, for younger twins, heritabilities were .44 for SBP, .27 for DBP, but no genetic influence on PP was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that genetic factors are a significant source of variance in hemodynamic indices, and also suggest that, with advancing age, genetic factors play an increasing role in determining blood pressure and PP in this population.
Brandon
Dwayne T
DT
Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Whitfield
Keith E
KE
Sollers
John J
JJ
Wiggins
Sebrina A
SA
West
Sheila G
SG
Vogler
George P
GP
McClearn
Gerald E
GE
Thayer
Julian F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000375:Aging; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents