African Americans have the highest prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) of any ethnic group, with approximately 44% of African American women diagnosed with hypertension. This study examined the risks for high blood pressure among undiagnosed African American mothers and daughters. Because hypertension often does not have visible symptoms, the condition can easily go undiagnosed. Studies have shown that African Americans make up a significant percentage of this undiagnosed population. Particularly, African American girls are at risk for undiagnosed hypertension because many healthcare providers use diagnostic measurements established for women, and not the more appropriate measurements for children.
Researchers met with 70 African American women (35 mothers and 35 daughters) from the greater Detroit metropolitan area, ranging from 1 to 61 years of age. The average age of the mothers was 39 years and the average age of the daughters was 11 years. Initial interviews were conducted at participants’ homes where information was collected on demographics, blood pressure (BP), and BMI. A 3-month follow up was conducted to collect additional information regarding physical activity and sodium intake (i.e., salt). Approximately 25% of mothers had BP readings indicative of hypertension as well as 54% of the daughters.
Results for mothers indicated a relationship between BP, age, and BMI. For daughters a relationship was found between potassium intake (a mineral found in many common foods such as leafy greens, beans, bananas, fish, and yogurt) and systolic BP (top number in BP reading). Results also showed relatively high rates of elevated BP among underweight mothers and daughters indicating a need for early screening for high blood pressure among African American women and girls, even if their BMI is low or normal.
Surprisingly, results of this study indicated higher diastolic BP (bottom number in BP reading) was associated with suggested amounts of potassium intake among daughters, when typically the recommended levels of potassium consumption have been shown to decrease BP and even decrease the effects that salt has on BP. Surprising still, there was no statistically significant relationship between BP and sodium intake - this finding runs contrary to the current consensus that higher salt intake leads to higher blood pressure. Further research is required to explain this unusual finding.
The examination of lifestyle behaviors in this study indicates that mothers and daughters should be monitored together to determine early risks for developing high blood pressure. If mothers can be diagnosed earlier, daughters can also benefit from the implementation of healthier lifestyle behaviors.
Written by Buddy Toth, Visiting Student in Research.