Skip to main content

Disparities in Stroke Risk Factors Persist for Black Adults

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2023 -- After one year of intensive medical management, certain risk factors associated with stroke are reduced among Black adults, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in Stroke.

Eyad Almallouhi, M.D., from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial involving patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis to examine whether aggressive medical management ameliorates disparities in risk factor control between Black and non-Black patients (104 and 347, respectively). Risk factor frequency at study entry and mean levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, hemoglobin A1c, and exercise level at baseline and one-year of follow-up were compared between Black and non-Black patients.

The researchers identified significant differences at baseline for Black versus non-Black patients in age (57.5 versus 61.0 years), hypertension (95.2 versus 87.5 percent), diabetes (52.9 versus 39.7 percent), mean diastolic blood pressure (82.4 versus 79.5 mm Hg), and mean physician-based assessment and counseling for exercise score (2.7 versus 3.3). At one year, mean diastolic blood pressure and mean physician-based assessment and counseling for exercise scores in Black versus non-Black patients were 74.7 versus 75.5 mm Hg and 4.2 versus 4.1, respectively, which were not significantly different. At one year, no disparities in other modifiable risk factors emerged.

"Our study found these disparities may be resolved by tailoring care to include lifestyle coaching, medication alterations or additions if appropriate, access to routine health care support, and regular physician follow-up," a coauthor said in a statement.

Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry; AstraZeneca supplied study medications, and Stryker Corporation supplied endovascular devices.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

American Diabetes Association, June 21-24

The annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association was held this year from June 21 to 24 in Orlando, Florida, drawing more than 15,000 participants from around the world...

Few With Type 2 Diabetes Receive Guideline-Recommended CKD Screening

MONDAY, July 1, 2024 -- Fewer than one-quarter of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receive recommended chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening, according to a study published...

ADA: Bisphenol A Linked to Reduced Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity

THURSDAY, June 27, 2024 -- Bisphenol A (BPA) administration is associated with reduced peripheral insulin sensitivity among healthy adults, according to a study presented at the...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.