Epidemiology of hypertension in African American women.

To describe the epidemiology of hypertension in U.S. African American women and to highlight priority areas for future research, data from the nationwide surveys of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, from selected multicenter studies of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, as well as from selected other population-based studies, were reviewed. In 1988 through 1991, an estimated 3 million African American women aged 18 and older had hypertension. Compared with that in U.S. whites, hypertension in black women is characterized by higher incidence, earlier onset, longer duration, higher prevalence, and higher rates of hypertension-related mortality and morbidity. Risk factors for hypertension incidence in black women include obesity and weight gain. The effectiveness of drug therapy of hypertension has been established in black women, and important gains in rates of treatment and control have been accomplished. Nevertheless, rates of hypertension-related mortality for black women remain among the highest in the industrialized nations. Further research on causes and prevention of hypertension in black women is needed. Goals related to prevention and control of hypertension in African Americans for the year 2000 have been established and must be vigorously pursued.