Hypertension in hispanics comments on a major disease in a mix of ethnic groups

Abstract

Hypertension is a disorder that, theoretically, is easily detected and effectively treated. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a painless cardiovascular risk factor that is associated with nonspecific symptomatology and depends--under most circumstances--on life-long treatment for amelioration or control. Paradoxically, these characteristics make hypertension susceptible to poor detection or control as a result of patient or physician idiosyncrasies. As a consequence, it remains, directly or indirectly, a leading cause of death and morbidity. Especially vulnerable are minority groups for whom a multifactorial array of impediments may retard the dissemination of information making it difficult to detect and treat hypertension. It is not clear that despite the widening of our base of knowledge in relation to hypertension in "Hispanics," we have sufficient data (or the possibility to acquire it) to help answer many of the questions that can be formulated for this amalgam of ethnic groups. Moreover, the role of acculturation in the development of high blood pressure remains largely unexplored.

Underutilization of prescribed drugs use among first generation elderly immigrants in the Netherlands

“…Comparison with other continental studies is limited since this is the first European study focusing on disease specific drugs use in an ethnic diverse elderly population. However, the lower rate of drugs use among immigrant elderly without command of the native language is consistent with results from similar studies in the US among non-native language speaking immigrant groups [25-28]. A study conducted in Turkey among elderly diabetics also found underutilization of drugs indicating a trend among physicians to under prescribe insulin [29].…”

The association between birthplace in different regions of the world and cardiovascular mortality among residents of Spain

“…On the other hand, several authors have noted that hypertension detection and treatment, as well as adherence to treatment, are less than optimal in most Latin American countries [29][30][31]. This situation may persist when persons from these countries emigrate elsewhere, thus leading to an elevated risk of mortality from these diseases.…”

“…Some studies in the US have also observed that Mexican Americans have a higher risk of mortality from some hypertension-related diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease or renal failure , than the non-Hispanic White population. Given that the prevalence of hypertension in Mexican Americans is comparable to that in non-Hispanic Whites, the causes of this elevated risk are unknown [28,29].…”

Hypertension in multicultural and minority populations: Linkin communication to compliance

“…More patients visit physicians and receive prescriptions for the treatment of hypertension than for the treatment of any other medical disorder, and more than a million Americans die each year from the direct or indirect effects of hypertension [4]. Especially vulnerable are minority groups, for whom a multif act o ri a l arr ay o f i mp e d i m en t s may p re ven t t he dissemination of health information, making it difficul for physicians to detect and treat hypertension [6]. The situation is further complicated by a paucity of information about hypertension and its risk factors, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality in many racial and ethnic minorit groups in the United States [7].…”