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Hypertension Diagnosis and Physician Consult to Reduce Salt Intake

Reuben William Horace II

Hypertension is a pertinent global health issue with increased prevalent contributing factors such as lack of physical activity, increased BMI levels, and poor nutritional choices. Compared to other ethnicities, African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension, more likely to have untreated hypertension, and more likely to suffer adverse clinical consequences from uncontrolled hypertension. As much as 30% of all deaths due to hypertension in African American men and 20% in women can be contributing to high blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to explore whether African Americans with and without hypertension are given proper consultation to reduce salt intake based on hypertension diagnosis from their physician. Data was analysed from the 2015 BRFFS data, a United States health survey that looks at behavioural risk factors. Analysis was restricted to 4,476 non-Hispanic African American participants with and without hypertension diagnosis and salt reduction recommendation at baseline. Hypertension and salt reduction recommendations were assed using self-reported high blood pressure and salt reduction measurements at baseline. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the differences of hypertension and the impact of physician recommendation on reduced salt intake. Compared to self-reported data of hypertension awareness, those aware of their hypertension were more likely to be women than men (58% vs 42% respectively). Adjusted differences showed those who were aware of their hypertension were not given proper consult to reduce salt intake compared to those who did receive proper consult (OR=7.53; confidence interval [CI] 5.92- 9.59). In conclusion, our results suggest that physicians can play an important role in reducing racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension control. Additionally, the study highlights the need for testing an intervention aimed at increasing provider awareness of disparities within the local health setting to improve hypertension control for high risk patients.