One of the most serious health issues facing the United States is the rising rate of obesity; a condition associated with a wide variety of health related problems, including high blood pressure (hypertension). While this issue effects everyone, African American women face a particularly high risk, with 78% of African American women overweight and 50% obese.
Studies have shown possible interactions between the environment and genetics and their possible effects on blood pressure. While altering one’s genetics may not be feasible, changing one’s environment may be an effective way to improve overall health. Better understanding of this relationship between genes and environment will help healthcare providers to guide patients toward healthy decisions.
This study interviewed 108 African American women from the Detroit metropolitan area. Participants were made up of groups of three, consisting of a grandmother, mother, and daughter. For those with a diagnosis of hypertension, blood pressure had to average 140/90 or higher without medication. Participants answered surveys regarding age, gender, education, income, employment, physical activity, family history of hypertension, as well as diet. Height, weight, and blood pressure were also recorded, and a saliva swab was collected for genetic analysis.
As predicted, this study found a relationship between genetic markers and environment/lifestyle effects on blood pressure in African American mothers and daughters. No correlations were found between sodium intake (i.e., salt) and blood pressure, however the study did note that exercise for 30 minutes a day was associated with a lower blood pressure reading.
This study highlights a need for health care providers to educate their female African American patients regarding their increased risk for high blood pressure based on their individual genes. Adjusting sodium intake and physical activity is an important and effective means of lowering blood pressure, but interventions should be based on the patient’s individual health profile. If gene-environment screening occurs early for a patient, appropriate steps can be taken to reduce the risks associated with high blood pressure.
Written by Buddy Toth, Visiting Student in Research.