Black-white contrasts as determinants of cardiovascular risk in childhood: precursors of coronary artery and primary hypertensive diseases.

Atherosclerosis and hypertension begin in childhood. Studies of children have identified black-white differences in anthropometric, hormonal, enzymatic, and renal mechanisms related to the development of coronary artery disease and hypertension. Black children have greater body density, higher blood pressure, and higher serum total cholesterol, alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin levels, whereas white children have a higher percentage of body fat, a faster heart rate, and higher hemoglobin, serum triglyceride, pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma renin, and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase levels. At puberty, white male children have decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and increased low-density lipoprotein/HDL ratios. Black children have lower urinary K+ excretion and demonstrate natriuresis when K+ is administered orally. These black-white contrasts provide clues for studying disease development early in life. Rational approaches to primary prevention of atherosclerosis and hypertension may require a diversity of strategies because of these black-white differences.