An international comparative study of blood pressure in populations of European vs. African descent.
BACKGROUND
The consistent finding of higher prevalence of hypertension in US blacks compared to whites has led to speculation that African-origin populations are particularly susceptible to this condition. Large surveys now provide new information on this issue.


METHODS
Using a standardized analysis strategy we examined prevalence estimates for 8 white and 3 black populations (N = 85,000 participants).


RESULTS
The range in hypertension prevalence was from 27 to 55% for whites and 14 to 44% for blacks.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that not only is there a wide variation in hypertension prevalence among both racial groups, the rates among blacks are not unusually high when viewed internationally. These data suggest that the impact of environmental factors among both populations may have been under-appreciated.
Cooper
Richard S
RS
Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA. rcooper@lumc.edu
Wolf-Maier
Katharina
K
Luke
Amy
A
Adeyemo
Adebowale
A
Banegas
José R
JR
Forrester
Terrence
T
Giampaoli
Simona
S
Joffres
Michel
M
Kastarinen
Mika
M
Primatesta
Paola
P
Stegmayr
Birgitta
B
Thamm
Michael
M
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology*; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*