Related Experiment Videos

Risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death among African Americans and Hispanics in Los Angeles,

S O Henderson1, P Bretsky, B E Henderson

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. sohender@hsc.usc.edu

Academic Emergency Medicine : Official Journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
|December 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular mortality is significantly higher in African Americans (AAs) compared to Hispanics, even after accounting for risk factors like hypertension and diabetes. Gene-environment interactions may explain this disparity.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Disease Research

Background:

  • African Americans (AAs) experience disproportionately higher cardiovascular mortality rates.
  • Understanding the specific risk factors contributing to this excess mortality is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and describe risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in African American and Hispanic populations in Los Angeles County.
  • To investigate the causes behind the elevated cardiovascular mortality observed in the AA population.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal analysis of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality was conducted.
  • A prospective multiethnic cohort of 71,798 individuals aged 45-74 years was studied from 1993 to 1998.
  • Death rates related to hypertension, cardiomyopathy, acute myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, and stroke were compared between AA and Hispanic men and women.

Main Results:

  • Age-adjusted mortality rates were 2-5 times higher in AAs compared to Hispanics for hypertensive disease.
  • Hypertension was the most common significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.
  • Cigarette smoking, diabetes, and a history of stroke were also significantly associated with CVD mortality.
  • Adjusting for these risk factors did not eliminate the significance of AA ethnicity in CVD mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Higher incidence and severity of hypertensive disease in AAs contribute to excess cardiovascular mortality.
  • The consistent effect across genders suggests a significant role for gene-environment interactions in driving these disparities.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors: