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Race, Ethnicity, Hypertension, and Heart Disease: JACC Focus Seminar 1/9
Modele O Ogunniyi1, Yvonne Commodore-Mensah2, Keith C Ferdinand3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/modeldoc.
Insights
Racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence and control persist in the U.S. Addressing social determinants of health is crucial for improving cardiovascular care and outcomes for all adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Public Health
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Hypertension is a primary global cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Approximately 45% of U.S. adults have hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/80 mm Hg).
- Significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in hypertension prevalence and control, particularly affecting Black adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension.
- To examine the impact of social determinants of health on cardiovascular care quality and outcomes.
- To discuss clinical practice guidelines and national programs for hypertension control.
Main Methods:
- Clinical review of existing literature and data.
- Analysis of epidemiological trends in hypertension.
- Examination of social determinants of health influencing cardiovascular care.
Main Results:
- Hypertension disproportionately affects minority groups, especially Black adults.
- Suboptimal hypertension control rates are prevalent, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities.
- Social determinants of health significantly impact cardiovascular care quality and patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Urgent action is needed to address the public health crisis of hypertension control.
- Eliminating racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension is essential to reduce cardiovascular and stroke burden.
- Implementing guideline recommendations and targeted national programs can help mitigate these disparities.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally. In the United States, the prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/80 mm Hg) among adults is approximately 45%. Racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence are well documented, especially among Black adults who are disproportionately affected and have one of the highest rates of hypertension globally. Hypertension control remains a persistent public health crisis. Recently published data indicate suboptimal hypertension control rates, particularly for racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States. This requires urgent action because of the significant health care burden from cardiovascular- and stroke-related morbidity and mortality. This clinical review delineates racial/ethnic disparities in the epidemiology of hypertension, and the impact of social determinants of health on the quality of cardiovascular care and outcomes. Clinical practice guideline recommendations and various national programs targeted toward hypertension control and proposed solutions to eliminate these disparities are discussed.
