GENEALOGICAL AND GENETIC AFRICAN ADMIXTURE ESTIMATIONS, BLOOD-PRESSURE AND HYPERTENSION IN A CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY

This study examines the relationships between blood pressure, prevalence of hypertension, and the degree of black African admixture in the population of the Caribbean Island of La Désirade which is homogeneous with respect to the environmental factors and for which the socioeconomical stratification does not match racial origin. The degree of admixture was estimated by using both genealogical information and genetic markers. Blood pressure was repeatedly measured using an automatic sphygmomanometer. After adjustement for age, sex, ponderal index, Na/K urinary ratio, and clinical alcoholism, blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension were found to be significantly higher for the individuals having the largest proportion of genes of black origin. Identical results were obtained when either genetic markers or genealogical information were used as an individual - estimator of admixture. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.