Table 2.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in African Americans1
| Risk Factor | African American (%) | White (%) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic | |||
| Did not finish high school | 16.1 | 7.3 | 2.21 |
| Income below poverty level | 16.4 | 12.4 | 1.32 |
| Unemployment | 16.5 | 8.3 | 1.99 |
| No health insurance | 26.2 | 16.1 | 1.63 |
| Life Expectancy | 74 yr | 78.5 yr | 0.94 |
| Congenital/epigenetic/genetic | |||
| Preterm births | 17.1 | 10.8 | 1.58 |
| Lower birth weight (<2500 g)40 | 13.1 | 4.8 | 2.73 |
| Very low birth weight (<1500 g)40 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 3.62 |
Environmental risk factors include the following: sugar intake greater,22,23 lower-potassium diet,24 and higher salt intake25 in African Americans; physiologic and pathologic risk factors: sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity—increased BP to sympathetic stimulation (cold pressor test,26 from infused norepinephrine on high-salt diet,27 greater BP response to exercise28); altered renal autoregulation: increased GFR response to high-salt diet,29,30 lower renal blood flow,31 salt sensitivity frequent30,32,33; renal vascular disease prominent: extensive glomerulosclerosis and vascular sclerosis,34,35 even in normotensive persons,36 with larger glomeruli.37