HYPERTENSION IN EAST AFRICANS AND OTHERS OF AFRICAN DESCENT - A REVIEW

As the number of fatalities from cardiovascular diseases declines in w estern industrial nations, an opposite trend is observed in the East A frican region. Inter-regional variations in the prevalence of vascular disorders have been attributed to socioeconomic, psychosocial and her itable physiological parameters. Although faulty mineralocorticoid met abolism and the dysfunctional kidney are prominent features of circula tory problems, many current studies are focused on membrane receptors, transmembrane ion transport mechanisms, ion channels and the possible genetic polymorphisms that determine the characteristics of those mol ecular structures in the vascular system of normal or hypertensive per sons. In this review, a composite of the data available on each of the above parameters and its significance in the pathogenesis of hyperten sion in the industrial West and transforming economies of East Africa is presented.