Blood pressure measurement and antihypertensive treatment in a low-income African-American population

The purpose of this study was to describe blood pressure measurement and hypertension treatment in an inner-city African-American community. A random-digit dialing telephone survey of adults more than 18 years of age was carried out in 12 predominantly African-American zip code areas in Houston, Texas. More than 90% of subjects reported a blood pressure measurement within the past 2 years, and 87% of known hypertensives reported current medication use. Further improvements in hypertension control among African Americans in this country are likely to depend primarily on changes in diagnosis and management practices of health care providers and on maintaining primary care access for all socioeconomic groups.