Nurse Faculty Scholars - Hypertension

Effects of parity on blood pressure among African-American women

nfs — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:48:38 +0000

Published Date:

Mon, 2008-12-01 (All day)

It is a well established fact that age, ethnicity, weight, and lifestyle behaviors can affect blood pressure (BP). Co-morbid conditions such as HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), pre-eclampsia, and previous hypertension diagnosis might also be risks for chronic hypertension among women who have had children. Although parity has been linked to changes in blood pressure in White women, these findings have not been replicated among African-American women. The purpose of this study was to determine if the number of pregnancies urban African-American women have effects BMI and blood pressure readings later in life. Results indicated that women with a previous diagnosis of hypertension had higher SBP and DBP, and a slightly higher BMI than women who had never been diagnosed. Additionally, women with a prior history of hypertension had more children than those without a diagnosis of hypertension. As parity increased, SBP increased. However, DBP decreased after 3 to 4 children, even with increases in BMI. This study shows that parity may increase African-American women's risk for hypertension in terms of increased SBP and BMI with increased parity. However, increased parity and BMI may also serve as protective factors in lowering DBP. Further studies, with larger samples followed throughout their pregnancies, is needed before more definitive statements may be drawn about the effects of parity on BMI and blood pressure readings among African-American women can be made.

Effects of genetic counseling for hypertension on changes in lifestyle behaviors among African-American women

nfs — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:33:10 +0000

Published Date:

Wed, 2009-07-01 (All day)

Genetic counseling research has been used for diseases such as breast and other cancers, but genetic counseling for hypertension has been understudied. African-American women have the highest prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease of any group in the United States. Because hypertension and related cardiovascular sequela have a profound impact on the health and well being of African-American women, providing genetic counseling for hypertension is important in order to determine risk and to provide early interventions. The purpose of this study is to examine lifestyle changes among urban African-American women following genetic counseling for hypertension as compared to baseline. Specific lifestyle factors include the impact of changes in physical activity, of sodium intake, and of body mass index on systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. Results of this study indicated that systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings and pulse pressure readings decreased six months after genetic counseling, although the findings were not statistically significant. Body mass index remained relatively unchanged after genetic counseling, but minutes of increased physical activity was reported, although this was not significant. However, a statistically significant decrease in sodium intake (p = .033) was noted from baseline to 6-month follow-up after genetic counseling. With the exception of sodium, changes in lifestyle behaviors, blood pressure, and pulse pressure readings did not differ significantly from baseline. However, changes in lifestyle behaviors in a positive direction are important and worth noting. Further studies on genetic counseling for hypertension with longer follow-up periods are needed to determine the effectiveness of genetic counseling on changes in lifestyle behaviors and blood pressure readings.

Risks for Hypertension Among Undiagnosed African American Mothers and Daughters

nfs — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:19:20 +0000

Published Date:

Tue, 2008-09-30 (All day)

Introduction: This study examines risks for high blood pressure (BP) among undiagnosed African American mothers and daughters, because African American children are at risk for hypertension due to familial influences. Method: This study was cross-sectional in design and included 70 African American mother and daughter participants from the Detroit metropolitan area. Results: BP readings clinically diagnostic of hypertension were found for mothers (25.7%) and daughters (54.3%), although they were undiagnosed. Many participants with BP readings in pre-hypertension or hypertension categories were overweight or obese (mothers, 90.9%; daughters, 50.2%). Fewer underweight or normal-weight mothers (25.0%) and daughters (64.3%) had BP readings indicative of hypertension. Lower diastolic BP was associated with higher body mass index (BMI) among mothers (r = -.34, P = .045). Higher systolic BP was positively related to potassium consumption among daughters and total African Americans (r = .55, P = .005 and r = .41, P = .003, respectively).