Hypertension among Hispanic elders of a Caribbean origin in Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVES: We determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension in Hispanic elders, ages 60-92 years, living in Massachusetts.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: State of Massachusetts.
SUBJECTS: A representative sample of 597 Hispanics of Caribbean origin (77% Puerto Ricans and 23% Dominicans) and 243 non-Hispanic Whites from the same neighborhoods. MEASURES: Blood pressure, income, health behaviors, chronic conditions, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.
RESULTS: Hypertension was prevalent in all groups: 66% for Puerto Rican and 73% Dominican men, 69% for non-Hispanic White men; and 75%, 76%, and 74% for women in these groups, respectively. Twenty-one percent of Puerto Rican and 15% of Dominican women had systolic hypertension, compared to 9% for non-Hispanic White women (P < .01 anti P < .05, respectively). The prevalence of systolic hypertension was 14% and 21% for Puerto Rican and Dominican men, compared to 13% for non-Hispanic White men (not significant). Puerto Rican women with hypertension were less likely to have their blood pressure under control than were non-Hispanic While women. Puerto Rican and Dominican elders remained more than 2.6 times more likely to have systolic hypertension than non-Hispanic White elders after adjusting potential confounders.
CONCLUSION: Hypertension is prevalent in this population and systolic hypertension is more prevalent among Hispanic vs non-Hispanic White elders. Investigation of genetic or other factors associated with this apparent excess risk of systolic hypertension among elderly Hispanics, particularly among women, is warranted.