Disparities in Black adults’ stroke risk factors persist; risk factor control reduced gap

Apr 26, 2024

Research Highlights:

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023

DALLAS, Aug. 3, 2023 — Significant stroke risk factor disparities exist between Black adults and non-Black adults who have had a stroke. However, after one-year of intensive medical intervention, some of the risk factors that increase the risk of stroke were reduced in the Black adults, according to research published today in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

This analysis did not compare Black adults to any other specific racial subgroup due to insufficient numbers of each race in the non-Black group. The non-Black participant group included white, Asian and Hispanic adults who were measured collectively.

“Modifiable stroke risk factor differences between Black and non-Black adults were found at enrollment; however, 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,” said study co-author Ashley Nelson, D.O., who, at the time of this study, was a neurology resident at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “Intense risk factor management has an important role in improving or eliminating these risk factor disparities in Black adults.”

In this analysis, researchers examined health data from a study called SAMMPRIS (Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis). They evaluated medication use and vascular risk factors, such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, blood glucose levels and physical activity of Black and non-Black adults with a recent stroke event. Physical activity was measured by the Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise (PACE) score.

The analysis found:

“We tend to focus on systolic blood pressure, yet diastolic blood pressure is also a good marker for cardiovascular health and the integrity of the blood vessels,” Nelson said. “Using a tailored approach resulted in better risk factor control for the participants.”

Study details and background:

The authors note that their research raises questions about other factors beyond physiology, medications and regular follow-up that may help to reduce these disparities even further. “Many different approaches are needed to reduce and eliminate these disparities in Black adults. Access to health care, lifestyle coaching, early follow-up and administration of appropriate medications after stroke may help to resolve it, but not wholly in terms of overall risk and all of the baseline disparities,” Nelson said.

The study compared Black and non-Black patients in the United States and had a disproportionate enrollment of people from all ethnicities, therefore, these results may not be generalizable to a broader geographic population.

Co-authors and their disclosures are listed in the manuscript. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.

Additional Resources:

About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.

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Categories:Research Highlights:Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023StrokeAdditional Resources:About the American Stroke Association###For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

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