Racial differences in blood pressure among urban adolescents

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are racial differences in the blood pressure patterns among urban adolescents. Blood pressure (BP) was measured according to Task Force guidelines in health-screening and education sessions conducted in urban public and parochial high schools. The prevalence of BP > or = 95th% (HBP) on initial screening was determined in a population of 3,349 students. Differences in prevalence of HBP among race, sex, and age groups were tested for significance by chi 2 analysis. The overall prevalence of HBP in this urban adolescent population was 8.1%. Significant race differences were present in females (blacks = 6.6% versus non-Hispanics = 2.9%, p < 0.01). Within the black females, HBP occurred more frequently among the girls attending predominantly black public schools (7.7%) compared to an interracial parochial school (2.0%) p < 0.001. This difference could not be explained by weight, height, or the occurrence of obesity. The observed BP differences within black females, by school, may reflect a family-environment effect on cardiovascular risk.