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Blood pressure in Afghan male immigrants to D enmark
Author(s) -
Asmar Ali,
Bülow Jens,
Simonsen Lene,
Christensen Niels J.,
Frandsen Erik,
Norsk Peter
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/cpf.12055
Subject(s) - medicine , plasma renin activity , blood pressure , immigration , afghan , endocrinology , demography , renin–angiotensin system , philosophy , theology , archaeology , sociology , history
Summary Purpose Immigration from a Third‐World society to a Western society can be associated with higher blood pressure and salt sensitivity. We therefore tested whether immigrants from Afghanistan to Denmark compared with non‐immigrant Danes exhibit a (i) higher 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure (24‐h ABP ) and (ii) blunted renin response to a change in salt intake. Methods Twenty‐four‐hour ABP was measured in 40 men of Afghan (Afghans) and 40 men of Danish (Danes) origin. Each group was divided into young (20–30 years, n = 20) and middle aged (40–60 years, n = 20). A 3‐day low (70 mmol per 24‐h) and a 3‐day high (250 mmol per 24‐h) salt intake were in addition instituted in subgroups of the young groups ( n = 18). Results Young and middle‐aged Afghans exhibited a lower 24‐h mean arterial pressure (24‐h MAP ) than the same respective age groups of Danes (83 ± 1 versus 90 ± 1 mm Hg, P <0·05, and 89 ± 2 versus 100 ± 1 mm Hg, P <0·05). 24‐h ABP did not change in any of the young groups during increased salt intake, whereas the Danes exhibited a greater decrease in plasma renin activity ( PRA ) ( P <0·05). Plasma noradrenaline (P NA ) was significantly higher among the young Afghans. Conclusions Afghan immigrants to Denmark exhibit a lower 24‐h ABP than Danes. In young Afghans, PRA is less sensitive to changes in salt intake, while P NA is higher and may reflect their lower systolic blood pressure and/or arterial pulse pressure. Whether these hormonal differences can explain the lower 24‐h ABP in Afghans should be further explored.