The association between hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in young adult African Americans

Abstract

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease in African Americans. The excess morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease in African Americans compared to Caucasians is not well explained. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in young adult African Americans. A risk factor scoring system was developed, based on national guidelines for obesity, smoking, cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance, and blood pressure. Data from a previously studied cohort of 206 women and 117 men were analyzed for the association of hypertension with other risk factors. Among women, risk factor intensification is due to impaired glucose tolerance and obesity. Among men, intensification appears to be related to all major risk factor categories. These findings indicate that among hypertensive African Americans there is an amplification of other risk factors. The data also support the clinical management of multiple risk factors as well as the achievement of blood pressure control.

(c) 2002 Le Jacq Communications, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1

The percentage of cases for each total risk factor score in men and women. The distribution is normal over the range of risk factor scores. The mean total risk factor score for all men was 2.7±1.8, and for women, 3.0±2.1.

Figure 2

Female subjects are presented according to blood pressure (BP) status and BP‐adjusted cardiovascular risk score. Normotensive cases are depicted by the slashed bar; high‐normal cases are represented by the black bar; hypertensive cases are represented by the white bar. The portion of hypertensive cases is greatest at the higher adjusted risk score. The reverse occurs among normotensives, with more cases at the lower risk scores.

Figure 3

Male subjects are presented according to blood pressure (BP) status and BP‐adjusted cardiovascular risk score. Normotensive cases are depicted by the slashed bar; high‐normal cases are represented by the black bar; hypertensive cases are represented by the white bar. The portion of hypertensive cases is greatest at the higher adjusted risk score. The reverse occurs among normotensives, with more cases at the lower risk scores.