posted 01/20/03
CHICAGO -- A new study shows African-Americans with a history of heart disease or stroke can benefit from a better understanding of stroke and the associated risk factors.
Previous studies show African-Americans are at a greater risk of stroke and heart disease because the likelihood of diabetes and high blood pressure are greater for blacks than other groups. Researchers from Rush University in Chicago used information from the African-American Antiplatelet Stroke Prevention Study to assess the association risk factors in African-Americans who have had a previous stroke. The AAASPS is a study evaluating the effectiveness of aspirin and an anti-clotting drug as a preventive treatment for recurrent stroke, heart attack and other vascular-related death.
In their study, researchers examined the medical and neurological history of 1,086 participants as well as the participants' blood count, metabolic profile, lipid profile, and urinalysis. Researchers found 87 percent of participants had a history of high blood pressure. More than one-fourth of those participants with high blood pressure were not taking medication for it, and more than half had elevated blood pressure. Out of those participants who were taking antihypertensive medication, 70 percent had an elevated blood pressure as did 74 participants with no prior history of high blood pressure.
Diabetes was found in 40 percent of the participants. Two percent of the remaining patients, who reported no history of diabetes, had glucose levels high enough to signify the risk for diabetes. A history of high cholesterol was reported by 39 percent of the participants, yet only 43 percent of those participants used a cholesterol-lowering drug.
Sean Ruland, D.O., from Rush University, says, "Our data indicate poor rates of awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol among study participants -- African-Americans with previous stroke at the time of study enrollment." He adds, "We must identify and address the underlying reasons why the African-American population appears to be less aware of and/or less likely to control the risk factors contributing to our nation's number one and number three killers."
Source: Ivanhoe Newswire: Neurology, 2003;60:64-68.
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