Hispanics benefit from equal access to care: study

By Michelle Rizzo

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Results of a study demonstrate that high levels of blood pressure control can be achieved by Hispanic patients who have equal access to medical care and medication.

Historically, blood pressure control in Hispanics has been considerably less than that of non-Hispanic whites and blacks.

To better understand the reasons for this, Dr. Karen L. Margolis, from HealthPartners Research Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and colleagues analyzed data collected on 32,642 subjects in a large heart treatment trial. The group was made up of 3 percent Hispanic blacks, 16 percent Hispanic whites, 33 percent non-Hispanic blacks and 48 percent non-Hispanic whites.

The authors observed that Hispanics were less likely to have well-controlled blood pressure at the outset, but within 6 to 12 months of follow-up, blood pressure control was equal to or superior to that of non-Hispanic whites. Non-Hispanic blacks had the lowest levels of blood pressure control throughout the trial.

After 4 years of follow-up, blood pressure was controlled in 72 percent of Hispanic whites, 69 percent of Hispanic blacks, 67 percent of non-Hispanic whites, and 59 percent of non-Hispanic blacks.

"The low rate of blood pressure control in U.S. Hispanics does not appear to be a result of biological factors," Margolis said in an interview with Reuters Health.

She said doctors "should treat Hispanic patients with the same medications that they use for non-Hispanic patients, preferably starting with a diuretic and adding other medications as needed to achieve blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg."

"If this is done, blood pressure control should be achieved in most Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with commonly available medications."

"Improving blood pressure control in Hispanics and other minority groups will need to address the underlying reasons for these disparities, including lack of insurance, lack of access to regular medical care, deficits in knowledge and awareness of hypertension, language, and cultural barriers," she added.

SOURCE: Hypertension, November 2007.