Hypertension in African American women: influence of anger expresssion style

Hypertension represents a critical health problem for African American women in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of anger suppression on blood pressure, perceptions of strain, abdominal adiposity, and physical activity levels of 90 employed African American women. Measures for the study included (1) the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, (2) abdominal adiposity (waist, waist/hip ratio), (3) Paffenberger Physical Activity Questionnaire, (4) Personal Strain Inventory, and (5) blood pressure. Correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships among the study variables; ANOVAS were used to test for significant differences between women classified as hypertensive (defined as a SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, or a DBP ≥ 90 mmHG, or use of hypertensive medications) or normotensive. Forty-three women were classified as hypertensive; 47 were normotensive. Anger suppression was significantly related to DBP, abdominal adiposity, physical activity level, and feelings of physical and psychological strain. The hypertensive women had significantly higher levels of SBP, DBP, anger suppression, abdominal adiposity, and lower levels of physical activity. The findings suggest that African American women may benefit by further education regarding the influence of anger on blood pressure elevation. Efficacy of interventions to assist in therapeutic methods of anger diffusion should be evaluated.