Association of Psychosocial Symptoms, Blood Pressure, and Menopausal Status in African-American Women.
Carolyn H Still, Sadia Tahir, Hossein N Yarandi and 2 others
PMID 32590927WHAT IT FOUND
In African American women with hypertension, age and BMI were linked to systolic BP status; stress, depression, and social support did not emerge as clear links when other factors were considered.
Key findings
01Women classified as menopausal had a mean systolic BP of 134.76 mmHg, compared with 126.67 mmHg in perimenopausal women (p = .005).
02In perimenopausal women, age and BMI were linked to systolic BP status after other factors were considered; in menopausal women, age, perceived health status, health insurance, and BMI were linked.
03Systolic BP was related to menopausal status, health status, and lower social support; diastolic BP was related to depression, BMI, social support, and health status.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The analysis used 184 women from the Midwest, not the full parent sample, so it may not represent African American women in other regions or other racial-ethnic groups. Menopausal status was based on self-report, not clinical records. Data were collected at one time point, including BP, so the study cannot show change over time or cause. The authors say BP accuracy could be questioned because it was measured with aneroid sphygmomanometers calibrated annually. Stress, depression, and social support were self-reported, and the authors suggest depression may have been underreported.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The paper is listed as supported by NIH extramural funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that treating stress or depression will lower blood pressure in African American women with hypertension. This was a one-time analysis, and stress, depression, and social support did not emerge as clear links to systolic BP status after other factors were considered.