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Understanding and Tackling Hypertension in African American Communities
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is more prevalent in African American communities than in other racial groups in the United States. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicated that about 5 in 10 non-Hispanic Black adults are hypertensive. When a person's blood pressure is consistently above 130/80 mm Hg, they are said to have hypertension. So why is this condition ailing more people in Black and African American communities than any other in the United States?
Causes of Hypertension in African American Communities
In the United States, hypertension disproportionately affects Black and African American people than any other racial group. African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension earlier in life than whites. To date, researchers have not identified a single cause of hypertension in any racial group, including Black and African American people. However, several factors trigger hypertension among Black people. Below, we highlight some of those.
Inequalities in Healthcare
The U.S healthcare system has over the years been characterized by discrimination against minority ethnic/racial groups, including the Black and African American people. These inequalities mainly stem from racism, which also affects other aspects of their lives.
The visible pattern of racism in healthcare against Black and African American people means that they do not access quality services to help them detect and manage conditions like hypertension. Inequality in healthcare, which is evident in the number of active Black physicians, also results in poor physician-patient relationships.
Possibly, physicians do not listen to the concerns of Black and African American patients and probably do not recommend the appropriate treatment. Access to quality healthcare for Black and African American patients could help curb hypertension and prevent the advancement of the “silent killer” in African American communities.
Socio-environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Many precursors of hypertension are avertible through lifestyle management. Yet, Black and African American people are less likely to engage in hypertension-prevention behaviors, such as dietary modifications and increased physical activity. There is little to no scientific evidence to link hypertension to the genetic make-up of African American people. Yet, the various socio-economic factors show why this condition is more prevalent in African American communities than in any other.
There is satisfactory empirical evidence to show the various lifestyle risk factors of developing hypertension among Black and African American people. These include weight issues, reduced physical activity, increased alcohol and tobacco intake, and increased intake of highly-processed foods. What’s even more worrying is that African Americans are showing little promise in achieving lifestyle adjustments.
Excessive weight and obesity among racial groups in the United States are highest for Black people of both genders. A more damning fact is that 43% of Black women and 26% of Black men in the United States are physically inactive. There’s also a connection between cardiovascular deaths and increased alcohol consumption, yet binge drinking continues to be the norm in about 14.5% of African Americans.
Smoking also causes a significant rise in blood pressure and contributes to the increased heart-related health issues among African Americans. A 2004 report by CDC showed that 22% of African Americans continue to smoke, which is a genuine concern if we're to win the battle against hypertension.
Poor Dietary Habits
Habitual consumption of highly-processed foods in African American communities is one of the reasons for obesity and increased cardiovascular mortality. Most of these health issues became more prevalent when Black and African American people abandoned their indigenous diet, which consisted mainly of fruits and vegetables.
Newly adopted diets mean that African Americans now ingest more dietary sodium and saturated fats, which are postulated as key factors in hypertension. By eating less fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables, African Americans miss out on potassium, which promotes heart health and keeps high blood pressure at bay.
Tackling Hypertension among Blacks and African Americans
Finding ways to tackle hypertension requires that we first understand its causes and risk factors. Below, we look at some self-care behaviors and general strategies to help control hypertension.
Recognize and Adjust Lifestyle and Dietary Habits
The risk of cardiovascular issues such as heart disease and hypertension is nearly twice as high for African Americans than their white counterparts. Yet, multiple studies have shown that lifestyle habits such as poor nutrition and lack of adequate physical activity are the main cause of these health issues.
By acknowledging the risk Black patients face, physicians should encourage them to change their lifestyle by meeting the required physical activity levels and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables daily. By ditching fried foods, organ and processed meats, added fats, and sweetened beverages, African Americans could close the racial gap in hypertension.
Put More Emphasis on Outreach Programs
Government agencies and non-profit organizations are increasingly educating people on the importance of regular screening and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Bill Releford, the founder and CEO of The Releford Foot and Ankle Institute, acknowledged the role played by barbershops and beauty parlors in Black and African American communities. He founded The Black Barbershop – a health outreach program meant to educate African American men on various health-related issues.
By partnering with barbershops in African American communities, physicians can better reach Black men, who are underrepresented in intervention trials. More African Americans are getting screened for diabetes and hypertension through initiatives such as the Black Barbershop, which is a significant step in promoting amputation prevention.
Leveraging Technology in Amputation Prevention
The Wound Docs is a nationwide network of physicians such as podiatrists, wound care specialists, and vascular surgeons. By bringing together these professionals and leveraging the power of AI and advanced biologics (skin substitutes), The Wound Docs is leading the battle against lower-limb amputations through better wound healing among African American patients.
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