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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2005

Open Access 01-12-2005 | Research article

An international comparative study of blood pressure in populations of European vs. African descent

Authors: Richard S Cooper, Katharina Wolf-Maier, Amy Luke, Adebowale Adeyemo, José R Banegas, Terrence Forrester, Simona Giampaoli, Michel Joffres, Mika Kastarinen, Paola Primatesta, Birgitta Stegmayr, Michael Thamm

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2005

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Abstract

Background

The consistent finding of higher prevalence of hypertension in US blacks compared to whites has led to speculation that African-origin populations are particularly susceptible to this condition. Large surveys now provide new information on this issue.

Methods

Using a standardized analysis strategy we examined prevalence estimates for 8 white and 3 black populations (N = 85,000 participants).

Results

The range in hypertension prevalence was from 27 to 55% for whites and 14 to 44% for blacks.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that not only is there a wide variation in hypertension prevalence among both racial groups, the rates among blacks are not unusually high when viewed internationally. These data suggest that the impact of environmental factors among both populations may have been under-appreciated.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
An international comparative study of blood pressure in populations of European vs. African descent
Authors
Richard S Cooper
Katharina Wolf-Maier
Amy Luke
Adebowale Adeyemo
José R Banegas
Terrence Forrester
Simona Giampaoli
Michel Joffres
Mika Kastarinen
Paola Primatesta
Birgitta Stegmayr
Michael Thamm
Publication date
01-12-2005
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2005
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-3-2

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Commentary

Blood pressure demographics: nature or nurture ... ... genes or environment?