Evaluation of Blood Pressure in African and Caucasian Race Individuals

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593502307072

• Palavras-chave: Blood Pressure [D062186]; African Race [D044383]; Caucasian Race [D044465]

• Keywords: Blood Pressure [D062186]; African Race [D044383]; Caucasian Race [D044465]

• Abstract:

  Introduction: High Blood Pressure is the world's leading cause of cardiovascular disease and death, and it is estimated that 1.13 billion people are hypertensive, and two thirds live in low-income countries, with the highest prevalence in Africa. A 10mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular events by 20%, so it is imperative to study racial differences and disparities in cardiac medicine, as these are considerable.

  Objective: To evaluate the blood pressure profile of African and Caucasian individuals.

  Methods: The sample includes a total of 122 individuals, collected between October 2011 and January 2012. All individuals were submitted to an individual questionnaire and at least two blood pressure assessments. Individuals of African and Caucasian races, of both genders, sedentary, without heavy drinking habits, non-smokers, non-obese, with similar sociodemographic conditions, without any type of associated pathology, aged between 19 and 35 years and who agreed to participate in the study by signing an informed consent form.

  Results: With this study, we found that African individuals had mean blood pressure values of 119.43/83.36mmHg, while Caucasian individuals had mean blood pressure values of 114.18/72.05 mmHg (p=0.009 in systolic ep <0.001 in diastolic). Blood pressure in males was also higher, 121.33/79.5mmHg compared to females 112.42/75.97mmHg (p<0.001 in systolic and p=0.030 in diastolic).

  Conclusion: We verified that there are differences in the tensional profile between the individuals of the two racial groups, being within the normality values, despite having found statistical differences.