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Hispanics hardest hit by hypertension One of the most critical contributing factors to heart disease is hypertension, or high blood pressure. The prevalence of hypertension varies by ethnic group, as do awareness levels of its dangers. A recent national survey revealed that hypertension awareness among U.S. Hispanics is critically low. Due to such low levels of awareness, Hispanics are less likely than their African-American and Caucasian peers to be taking important steps to effectively manage their hypertension. According to the December 2004 survey of 1,011 randomly selected individuals 30 years of age and older, a significant portion of Hispanics are not well informed about hypertension treatment, as self-reported. Less than one third of Hispanic survey respondents believe they are educated about treatment options. By contrast, fifty-four (54) percent of African Americans and fifty-nine (59) percent of Caucasians believe they are informed about the various treatments to manage this condition. The low levels of awareness among Hispanics correlate directly to the low numbers of Hispanics who are currently being treated. Where forty eight (48) percent of Caucasians and forty-seven (47) percent of African Americans reported being treated for hypertension, only sixteen (16) percent of Hispanics said they are taking medication. The survey was commissioned by SCHWARZ PHARMA.2 Hypertension can go undetected because there are no clear symptoms associated with the condition and it is therefore commonly referred to as the silent killer. If left untreated, hypertension can have serious consequences. “Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure,” said L. Michael Prisant, MD, FACC, FACP a cardiologist and hypertension expert who directs the Medical College of Georgia’s Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Ethnicity seems to play a role in risk to hypertension. Mexican Americans have 28% incidence, African American 43%, and Caucasians 30%. “It is important", says Dr. Prisant, "to keep ethnicity risk factors in mind especially when treating high risk patients such as Hispanics and African Americans. Widespread confusion exists about the role ethnicity plays in determining hypertension risk. See related articles in AgeVenture archives. Read more health and fitness news in AgeVenture's Headline News Read about active, healthy living in AgeVenture's Head Lifestyle Back to Top |