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Differences in blood pressure control in a large population-based sample of older African Americans and non-Hispanic

Jose Delgado1, Elizabeth A Jacobs, Daniel T Lackland

  • 1Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Hopsital, Washington DC, USA. jose.delgado@gunet.georgetown.edu

The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
|April 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Racial disparities in blood pressure control persist in older adults, with African Americans experiencing higher hypertension rates and poorer control. These gaps widened despite improvements in both groups.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Health Disparities

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in older adults.
  • Uncontrolled blood pressure is a significant CVD risk factor.
  • African Americans exhibit poorer blood pressure control compared to non-Hispanic whites, with limited understanding of this gap in older populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate racial differences in hypertension prevalence and blood pressure control among older adults.
  • To identify factors contributing to the racial gap in blood pressure management.
  • To examine trends in hypertension control over time between racial groups.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Chicago Health and Aging Program.
  • Defined blood pressure control using Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7) criteria.
  • Employed chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess racial differences and their determinants.

Main Results:

  • African Americans showed higher hypertension prevalence (74% vs. 63%) and poorer control (45% vs. 51%) than non-Hispanic whites.
  • Racial disparities in blood pressure control remained significant after adjusting for socioeconomic status, medical conditions, obesity, and medication use.
  • Blood pressure control improved more substantially among non-Hispanic whites than African Americans between 1993 and 2008.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic status does not explain racial differences in blood pressure control among older adults.
  • Consistent racial disparities in hypertension prevalence and control were observed in older, Medicare-eligible individuals.
  • Widening gaps in hypertension control between racial groups were noted, highlighting an ongoing public health concern for high-risk populations.
Abstract

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