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Demographic, Clinical and Social Determinants of Blood Pressure Control Among Black men who have had Stroke or

Martha Sajatovic1, Carolyn H Still2, Christopher J Burant2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and of Neurology, Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, William O. Walker Bldg, 7th Floor 10524 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. Martha.sajatovic@uhhospitals.org.

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
|July 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Blood pressure control in Black men post-stroke is complex. While few factors correlated with elevated BP, high BMI and limited social support pose risks for stroke recurrence.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Analysis of baseline data from a clinical trial focused on 160 Black men with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
  • Investigated factors influencing blood pressure (BP) control in this specific demographic.
  • Examined demographic, clinical, and social variables in relation to BP levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate factors associated with blood pressure control among Black men following a stroke or TIA.
  • To identify potential predictors of elevated blood pressure in this high-risk population.
  • To inform strategies for managing cardiovascular risk in Black men with cerebrovascular events.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized aggregate analysis of baseline data from a clinical trial.
  • Assessed demographic (age, insurance, living situation), clinical (time since event, comorbidities), and social (health literacy, stress, discrimination) variables.
  • Collected baseline blood pressure readings from 146 participants.

Main Results:

  • Mean age was 61.19 years, with a mean education of 13.99 years.
  • Average systolic BP was 134.59 mmHg and diastolic BP was 82.59 mmHg; mean BMI was 30.6.
  • Higher health literacy showed a significant association with higher systolic BP (r=.276, p=.002) after age adjustment.
  • Diastolic BP was associated with education, marital status, living alone status, and health literacy after age adjustment.

Conclusions:

  • Few significant correlates of elevated BP were identified in this cohort of Black men with stroke or TIA.
  • Despite limited identified correlates, individuals remain at risk for stroke recurrence.
  • High BMI, limited social support, and vulnerability to behavioral changes contribute to ongoing risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
African AmericanCardiovascular diseaseHealth disparitiesMen's healthStroke

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