Blood pressure differences between American ethnic schoolchildren and European ascendants groups

Abstract

To compare the blood pressure levels between Chilean schoolchildren ascendants from Mapuches and European at different blood pressure classification. A second aim was to compare other cardiometabolic (anthropometric/body composition, cardiovascular, and muscle strength) risk factors for HTN between groups. Methods: A cohort study, Public primary school. Participants were (n=540) Chilean schoolchildren. The sample of schoolchildren was analyzed by categorization of normotension (NT), prehypertension (PreHTN), and hypertensive (HTN) blood pressure state and by Mapuche and European Chilean ascent. The primary outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results: There were significant differences by ethnicity in DBP at the NT state blood pressure classification, but not at PreHTN and HTN states (Mapuche [78.6 (69.5, 84.3) mmHg] vs. European schoolchildren [66.5 (63.6, 68.5) mmHg] at P<0.000). There were no differences between Mapuches and European in body mass and body mass index, but significant differences in height. There were significant differences in resting heart rate and in the handgrip strength of the dominant and non-dominant arm between groups. Conclusion: Under a similar blood pressure state of criteria classification as normotension, Mapuches' schoolchildren's ascendants showed higher diastolic blood pressure levels than European peers. These findings suggest future more complex studies to corroborate ethnic differences.