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Black-white differences in electrocardiographic left ventricular mass and its association with blood pressure (the

D K Arnett1, P Rautaharju, R Crow

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7400.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|August 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Black individuals exhibit higher left ventricular (LV) mass and a stronger association between blood pressure and LV mass compared to white individuals. This disparity persists even when accounting for antihypertensive therapy and other risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Left ventricular (LV) mass is a significant predictor of cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Understanding racial differences in LV mass and its determinants is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • Previous studies suggest potential disparities in cardiovascular health between Black and White populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Black-white differences in the relationship between antihypertensive therapy, blood pressure, and left ventricular mass.
  • To analyze how mean arterial and pulse pressures influence LV mass across racial groups.
  • To assess the impact of antihypertensive treatment on LV mass disparities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 6,020 men and 7,970 women in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
  • Utilized a multivariable electrocardiographic algorithm to estimate LV mass.
  • Employed multivariable regression analyses to adjust for covariates like age, weight, and treatment status.

Main Results:

  • Black men and women had higher mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, weight, and LV mass than their White counterparts.
  • LV mass increased more sharply with increasing mean arterial pressure in Black individuals.
  • Even after adjusting for risk factors and treatment, Black individuals showed higher LV mass than White individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Black individuals exhibit significantly higher left ventricular mass compared to White individuals.
  • A more pronounced relationship between blood pressure and LV mass is observed in Black individuals.
  • These findings highlight racial disparities in cardiovascular structure and risk, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to manage hypertension and prevent adverse cardiac events.

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