Why is race a risk factor for heart disease?

One possible explanation for the higher heart disease risk among blacks living in this country may be a genetic difference that predisposes them to high blood pressure. Compared with whites, blacks tend to be more salt sensitive, which means their bodies tend to hold on to sodium and water.

Why is heart disease so common in African American?

The most common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke among black Americans are high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure means your heart is pumping harder than it should.

What health disparities exist for African American?

Health Disparities Among African-Americans

High blood pressure is common in 12% vs. 10% of blacks vs.
Diabetes is common in 10% of blacks aged 35-49 compared to 6% of whites.
Stroke is present in 0.7% of blacks aged 18-34 compared to 0.4% of whites the same age. Stroke is common in 2% of African Americans compared to 1% of whites aged 35-49 and 7% vs.

What is normal blood pressure for African American male?

The guidelines urge doctors to aggressively treat African American patients with high blood pressure as well as other risk factors and lower their blood pressure from the normally recommended 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg.

Which race is more affected by cardiovascular disease within the United States?

Disproportionate rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are seen in the U.S. African American population. African American subgroups have a greater burden of myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular events [9].

What ethnicity has the highest rate of diabetes?

Pacific Islanders and American Indians have the highest rates of diabetes among the 5 racial groups counted in the U.S. Census. They’re more than twice as likely to have the condition as whites, who have about an 8% chance of having it as adults.

Is race a risk factor?

To generate data for the stress model, a research strategy has been designed to identify psychosocial and behavioral risk factors that have a physiologic impact on pregnancy outcome. We propose that race is a marker for this stress but is not in itself a risk factor for preterm delivery.

Is ethnicity a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

GREATER RISKS, GREATER DEATHS Many racial/ethnic minority populations have higher rates of CVD and related risk factors. The statistics are stark testimony to that fact. blacks than for the overall population in the U.S. stroke and much more likely to die from one than whites.

How does race and ethnicity affect our health?

In spite of significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of most chronic diseases, there is evidence that racial and ethnic minorities tend to receive lower quality of care than nonminorities and that, patients of minority ethnicity experience greater morbidity and mortality from various chronic diseases than …

Does ethnicity affect blood pressure?

Answer: Ethnicity or sometimes referred to as race may affect one’s risk of developing high blood pressure in that we do see differences in levels of blood pressure and the incidence and prevalence of high blood pressure in certain ethnic groups such as African-Americans. We see a higher rate of high blood pressure.

Which hypertension medication is best for African American?

Calcium channel blockers, namely amlodipine (Norvasc), or the less often prescribed felodipine, are also recommended as first choice to control blood pressure, specifically in African Americans.

Do Koreans have higher blood pressure?

Changes in the prevalence of hypertension Thus, 55% of Koreans aged 30 years or older have higher than normal BP. This percentage increases to 65.2% (men 61.7%, women 67.7%) among individuals aged 65 years or older, and increases further in women compared to men.

What causes high blood pressure?

Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include: A diet high in salt, fat , and/or cholesterol . Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol.