Age-adjusted hypertension prevalence was similar for Mexican-American and Anglo men (10.0% vs 9.8%), but slightly lower for Mexican-American women compared to Anglo women (7.8% vs 9.7%).
Cross-Sectional (n=2,217)
A survey was carried out on a random sample of 1,288 Mexican Americans and 929 Anglos living in three socially distinct neighborhoods in San Antonio, Texas. Hypertension was defined as diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 95 mmHg or currently taking antihypertensive medication. Overall age-adjusted prevalence rates of hypertension were similar for Mexican-American and Anglo men (10.0 and 9.8%, respectively); for women, the Mexican-American rate was slightly lower than that for Anglos (7.8 and 9.7%, respectively). After adjustment for obesity differences, Mexican Americans have a tendency toward lower hypertension rates than Anglos of the same socioeconomic level. Only among women was a decline in the prevalence of hypertension with increasing socioeconomic status observed. Mexican Americans have a higher proportion of newly diagnosed hypertension, and, among previously diagnosed cases, a lower proportion are on antihypertensive medication than Anglos. The rates of hypertension control found in this survey are among the highest reported in the United States at the community level. Despite this, Mexican Americans still lag somewhat behind Anglos of the same socioeconomic level in awareness, treatment, and degree of hypertension control, suggesting the possibility of sociocultural barriers to adequate medical care.
FRANCO et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=2,217). Mexican American ethnicity vs. Anglo ethnicity was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (diastolic blood pressure ≥95 mmHg or currently taking antihypertensive medication). Age-adjusted hypertension prevalence was similar for Mexican-American and Anglo men (10.0% vs 9.8%), but slightly lower for Mexican-American women compared to Anglo women (7.8% vs 9.7%).