Racial Differences in Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease in the U.S. Navy

摘要

Hypertension affects a substantial percentage of the adult population in the United States and has been implicated in the etiology of stroke and coronary heart disease. The risk od hypertension in blacks is approximately twice as greatt as it is in whites. The purpose of this study was to determine if blacks in the U.S. Navy are at significant risk of hospitalization for hypertension and coronary heart disease. Data were collected from two separate studies--a cross-sectional study of all enlisted males on active duty between 1974 and 1979 on a longitudinal study of a cohort of enlisted personnel who entered the Navy in 1974. Racial differences were examined in terms of age and socioeconomic status. The results indicated that blacks have elevated rates of hypertension and whites have elevated rates of coronary heart disease. Both diseases also were found to be associated with socioeconomic status. The racial group differences were not found to be statistically significant, however, after adjusting for age differences. Neveretheless, the diveregence in association between hypertension and coronary heart disease suggests the need for further research on the etiology of the two diseases and their presumed association. (Author)