PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND TREATMENT IMPLICATIONS OF HYPERTENSION IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Afri can-American population. Current data on the epidemiology, pathophysio logy, and target organ damage in the hypertensive African-American pop ulation are reviewed. The implications of these racial differences for management are discussed, and the recommendations for drug therapy in this high-risk population are proposed.