II – For
a better understanding of blood pressure
Description
of the arteries and the blood pressure
2.1 - Working
of the blood circulation: the vessel and the heart
2.2 - Definition of
the blood pressure
Who
is concerned with high blood pressure?
2.3 - Epidemiological
data
2.4 - Influence of sex
2.5 - Race
The risk is raised by the existence of other
diseases
2.6 - Cholesterol
2.7 - Diabetes
2.8 - Tobacco
2.9 - The age
2.5 -
Race
The studies show that Black subjects have a higher blood pressure than other
races. In fact, it appears that the blood pressure is higher in Black subjects
at the time of adolescence especially among women.
This difference with the
other races seems to disappear at a more advanced age.
Several explanations have
been given: the Blacks seem to be more sensitive to salt, which retains
water and thus increases the blood pressure. The frequency of obesity
in Black women and the physical lack of activity may have genetic
origins.
It appears that the subjects
of Black race are more likely to have cardiovascular problems than
others for a same level of blood pressure. One of the explanations
is that the Black people are exposed earlier to arterial hypertension
and thus they prematurely develop arterial damage responsible for
cardiac and vascular diseases.
The data is primarily applicable
to Black subjects living in the United States, for very few studies
have been carried out in other countries.
Moreover, the medicinal
control of high blood pressure appears less easy with Black subjects
compared to White subjects.
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last modified on : 28 sep 2003 |
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