Hypertension-related mortality and morbidity in the southeast.

Geographic variations in adverse health outcomes have long been recognized in the United States, with specific focus on the southeastern region of the country. Cerebrovascular disease mortality rates have identified the Southeast as the "stroke belt" for decades, though rates are also high for other hypertension-related diseases including ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and end-stage renal disease. The increased cerebrovascular disease mortality in the Southeast has prompted intervention and research efforts. This paper provides a descriptive profile of the hypertensive end-organ diseases in this area to guide research efforts and to gauge changes in health outcomes and risks. In addition to mortality from stroke, this assessment identified excessive risks from diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and end-stage renal disease for some states in the Southeast. Trend variations in health outcomes were also detected.