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Hypertension awareness, control poor in US Hispanic community
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Poor treatment and control of hypertension is common among the Hispanic population of the United States, especially among the uninsured, according to researchers at the NHLBI.
In a longitudinal cohort study, investigators evaluated data collected from 16,415 Hispanics aged 18 to 74 years, across a diverse economic range in New York, Chicago, Miami and San Diego. Participants underwent three BP measurements and responded to questionnaires addressing issues of hypertension awareness and treatment, Hispanic heritage, level of education, income and health insurance status. Participants were considered aware of their hypertension if their BP measurements indicated hypertension and they reported being informed by a medical provider that they had hypertension.
After adjusting for age, the total prevalence of hypertension was 25.5% (26.1% among men and 25.3% among women) vs. a rate of 27.4% among non-Hispanic whites documented in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Hypertension prevalence increased in proportion to age and was most common in those of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. The condition was most common among Dominican men (34.3%) and least common among South American women (17.2%). Prevalence did not differ significantly according to education or income levels.
The percentage of hypertensive patients who were aware, being treated for or had controlled their condition was lower in the Hispanic population than among non-Hispanic whites with hypertension. The percentage of Hispanic patients in the study whose hypertension was controlled was 37.5% vs. 56.3% of non-Hispanic whites reported in NHANES.
Awareness and treatment were least common among participants younger than 40 years, with a sharp increase with age. Prevalence of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension was not affected by education or income levels. The percentage of patients with known, treated and controlled hypertension was lowest among uninsured participants.
“These results have important implications for CV health in Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States,” the researchers wrote. “… Of most concern is the low proportion of persons with their hypertension under control. The health care community, Hispanic/Latino advocates, health policymakers and the Hispanic/Latino community at large have a challenging task and responsibility to create tailored strategies to improve awareness, treatment and control of this significant factors for coronary disease, stroke and HF.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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