Blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk in patients of Indo-Asian and African-Caribbean descent.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for premature death. Large outcome studies have demonstrated reduced morbidity and mortality associated with antihypertensive therapy in mixed patient populations, but data on morbidity and mortality in defined ethnic groups are lacking. Management of cardiovascular risk factors, which frequently coexist with hypertension, presents a logical management strategy in these patients. Indo-Asian patients are particularly prone to insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), which are associated in turn with potentially atherogenic lipid profiles and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Diuretics and beta-adrenoceptor blockers exert theoretically adverse effects on lipid profiles and should be used with caution in Indo-Asian patients at risk of developing NIDDM. Hypertensive African-Caribbean patients are at increased risk of stroke and tend to suffer greater target organ damage, including renal dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy. Hypertension in African-Caribbean patients is less sensitive to beta-adrenoceptor blockade or ACE inhibition than in white patients. Selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists and calcium channel blockers are equally effective antihypertensive agents in all races. While calcium channel blockers are metabolically neutral, alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockers promote a potentially less atherogenic lipid profile. Further study of the effects of antihypertensive treatment on morbidity and mortality in ethnic groups is required, particularly in Indo-Asian patients.