title: Booker T. Washington and the Secret of Hypertension in African Americans.
abstract: Booker T. Washington rose from slavery to become one of the most admired Americans of his time. He died of long-standing malignant hypertension on November 14, 1915. At that time the medical profession was just beginning to recognize the importance of hypertension as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In spite of intensive research fueled by ongoing speculation, why Washington might have been predisposed to the ravages of hypertension, and African Americans continue to be so predisposed, is a secret yet to be told.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: Philip.mackowiak@va.gov.
authors: Philip A
authors: PA
authors: Mackowiak
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001741:Black or African American / Q000266:history; D005197:Famous Persons; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006974:Hypertension, Malignant / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history; D014481:United States
keywords: African Americans; Booker T. Washington; hypertension