Open AccessClinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Hypertensive Patients of Hispanic Descent
Author(s) -
Aranda Juan M.,
Calderon Rafael,
Aranda Juan M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
preventive cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-7141
pISSN - 1520-037X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7141.2008.08008.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , ethnic group , blood pressure , angiotensin receptor blockers , population , clinical trial , renin–angiotensin system , endocrinology , environmental health , sociology , anthropology
In the United States, patients of Hispanic descent have higher rates of hypertension‐related morbidity and mortality than patients from other ethnic groups even though the prevalence of hypertension among Hispanics is lower. This discrepancy likely reflects lower rates of hypertension awareness and control among Hispanics as well as a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular risk factors in this population. Although available data suggest that patients of Hispanic descent who receive antihypertensive therapy experience responses and treatment benefits similar to those achieved by other ethnic groups, clinical trials of antihypertensive therapy have typically enrolled only small numbers of Hispanic patients. Agents targeting the renin‐angiotensin system, namely angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, may be particularly useful in the Hispanic population given the ability of these drugs to protect against hypertension‐related and diabetes‐related end‐organ damage independent of their blood pressure‐lowering effects.