NutritionThe Pressure Is On For African Americans With Hypertension
Nearly two-thirds (63
percent) of African Americans with high blood pressure (also known as
hypertension) say they worry more about their finances than their
personal health, according to a new "My Pressure Points"(TM) national
survey commissioned by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., in collaboration with
the Association of Black Cardiologists.(1) In addition, almost half
(48 percent) are stressed about their work and careers. Everyone
juggles many external pressures in everyday life like jobs, finances
and family care. But while those African Americans surveyed have
increased their focus on the external pressures, have they lost sight
of a critical internal pressure -- one that can impact every facet of
their lives? The survey was designed to test this hypothesis.
High blood pressure affects about 73 million adults (age 20 and
older) in the U.S. and is often called the "silent killer," with
African Americans being more likely to develop the condition than any
other racial or ethnic group, and often to a more severe extent,
though scientists have yet to determine the exact reason why this is
true.(2)(3)(4) The continued high prevalence within the African
American community is of great concern to the medical community.
Equally concerning is the potential consequence they may face if they
allow the ordinary external pressures people face daily, to take
precedence over their high blood pressure. To address this concern,
the Association of Black Cardiologists and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. are
launching the "My Pressure Points" national consumer education
campaign. The goal of the campaign is to draw attention to this
important health issue, and encourage African Americans to focus on
their high blood pressure in addition to their external pressures.
"Elevated blood pressure in the African American community has been
prevalent for quite some time, and minimized such that this treatable
condition continues to result in catastrophes such as stroke and
endstage renal disease," said ABC Board member Icilma Fergus, M.D.,
Chief of Cardiology at Harlem Hospital Center in Harlem, New York.
"The survey findings reaffirm the critical need for African Americans
to work with their doctors and focus attention on their heart health,
making sure it remains a priority in their lives. That"s why we"re
partnering with Daiichi Sankyo to launch this campaign and ignite the
high blood pressure conversation within the African American
community."
As part of the "My Pressure Points" campaign, the Association of
Black Cardiologists and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. have unveiled new
res at www.mypressurepoints.com which may help African
Americans take a more proactive approach to controlling their blood
pressure. The web site has practical advice for controlling and
delaying the onset of high blood pressure as well as culturally
relevant tips for eating healthier and increasing physical activity.
Results from the My Pressure Points national online survey conducted
in 2009 of over 500 African Americans with high blood pressure (age
18 and older) and 150 doctors who treat African Americans with
hypertension, are also available. Additionally, people can log on to
take the survey and see how their responses compare to the national
results.
"As a leader in global cardiovascular health, Daiichi Sankyo is
committed to providing the most up-to-date, comprehensive educational
res for people who are at increased risk for high blood
pressure and cardiovascular disease, such as African Americans," said
Jonathon Jaffe, M.D., FACC, Senior Medical Director, Hypertension -
Therapeutic Area Head, Medical Research and Strategy at Daiichi
Sankyo, Inc. "Helping patients manage chronic diseases more
effectively -- whether that entails adopting a healthier lifestyle
recommended via their physician and/or taking appropriate medication
when prescribed -- will benefit both patients and physicians. We"re
pleased to be partnering with such a recognized leader in
cardiovascular health, the Association of Black Cardiologists, on
this important health awareness campaign."
My Pressure Points National Survey Highlights
Juggling life"s pressure points
More than half (55 percent) of the African Americans with
hypertension surveyed report that they are more "stressed" about their
financial situation now than they were a year ago, compared to just 28
percent who are feeling more anxiety about their health than 12
months ago. More than half (52 percent) admit they aren"t giving
their health and well-being as much attention as they would like.
Interestingly, though 73 percent are worried about what their
condition can lead to, they aren"t taking proactive steps; perhaps
this is due in part to their viewpoint on how big an issue they think
it is -- 29 percent don"t consider their condition to be a big
problem.
Family history not enough to encourage action
Of the 75 percent of African Americans with high blood pressure
surveyed who were aware of a family history of blood pressure before
they were diagnosed, almost three in five (59 percent) did not take
any steps to keep their blood pressure down before their own
diagnosis.
"Unfortunately, for some, it takes a serious personal health scare to
get them to take a closer look at their condition," said Dr. Fergus.
"It is dangerous for high blood pressure and other cardiac risk
factors to take a backseat to so many other life stresses."
Interestingly, more men than women surveyed (46 percent vs. 38
percent) who were aware of a family history made an effort to keep
their blood pressure down before their own diagnosis.
African American women more stressed than men -- yet LESS proactive
The African American women with high blood pressure surveyed are
slightly more likely than their male counterparts to stress about the
many pressure points in their lives, including their family (52
percent vs. 43 percent), personal health (57 percent vs. 48 percent)
and their finances (77 percent vs. 67 percent). Despite these
concerns, African American women are still less proactive than men
(56 percent vs. 47 percent) and admit their health doesn"t receive
the attention it should.
"Women tend to pay more attention to their family"s health and not
focus on their own," said Dr. Fergus. "But women need to become more
proactive about taking care of themselves, and promoting health from
within their families."
Survey Methodology
Kelton Research conducted the online survey within the U.S. between
January 29 and March 6, 2009. The survey sample included 506 African
Americans, aged 18 and over, who have been diagnosed with
hypertension. Results of any sample are subject to sampling
variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is
affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages
expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95
in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more
than 4.4 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if
interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe
represented by the sample.
More comprehensive survey highlights can be found on
www.mypressurepoints.com.
Association of Black Cardiologists
Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.