DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A Duke University medical study says experiencing racism in everyday life constantly contributes to high blood pressure among African Americans.
The study's researchers measured blood pressure night and day.
It said blood pressure or hypertension is more prevalent, and leads to worse outcomes, among African Americans than among whites.
It said genetic factors apparently are less at fault than environmental, psychological and social causes such as diet, income, education or stresses like racism.
The study covered the effects of perceived racism when blood pressure is monitored over a 24-hour period. It appears in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.
Researchers recruited 69 African-American men and women, aged 25 to 44 years. Their blood pressure was measured in the clinic on three separate visits, each one week apart.
The volunteers were then fitted with an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.
"The results demonstrate that perceived racism is related to blood pressure as measured during daily life, and that although perceived racism and anger inhibition are correlated with each other, they are independently related to ambulatory blood pressure," said Patrick Steffen, the study's lead author.
