J Natl Med Assoc
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Only about 27% of Americans with hypertension have their disease under control. Hypertension in the African-American population has a higher prevalence (32%) and is less likely to be treated or controlled compared with that in the caucasian population. Hypertension places a significant burden on patients and health care systems. Applications of medical informatics can facilitate the management of hypertension. Examples that illustrate the utility, status, and future potential of medical informatics applications in the treatment of hypertension are presented. ⋯ Management of hypertension needs much improvement. The use of computers and the Internet in health care is expanding and expected to have a positive impact on the management of chronic diseases, such as hypertension.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of blood pressure between Indiana AMA and NMA members.
1) To determine whether African-American physicians, compared to caucasian physicians, were at increased risk to develop hypertension; and 2) to determine whether physicians' knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors influenced their pattern of exercise. ⋯ These data suggest that African-American physicians may be at an increased risk to develop abnormal blood pressure, compared to caucasian physicians, potentially affecting the number of physicians available to minority communities.