Hypertension awareness, control and treatment in rural Mississippi: Morton Have-A-Heart Project

Abstract

Mississippi leads the nation in cardiovascular disease mortality rates as well as rates for several risk factors. One of the major modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease is high blood pressure. The prevalence of hypertension in the Morton Have-A-Heart Project, a community participatory cardiovascular risk reduction study, is much higher than nationally reported rates. In this population, hypertension rates approximate 40%, almost 10% higher than national rates. These results are even more significant considering all national data includes ages 20 and greater while the Morton Project includes ages 12 and greater. The purpose of this study is to analyze blood pressure data, medication histories, and reported health behaviors in the 1300 participants in the Morton Have-A-Heart Project and compare this to national data. Diuretics have been recommended first line treatment for hypertension for many years. Despite these recommendations and the socioeconomic barriers in rural Mississippi, diuretics are underutilized in this population and blood pressure is less than adequately treated and controlled.