Seth Michael Curl: Research Shows African-Americans Have Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

NEW YORK, NY, July 09, 2012 (Press-News.org) A Huffington Post news story reported that African-Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than other ethnic groups, as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). However, Wayne State University School of Medicine has brought forth new evidence that may decrease that number even further. Seth Michael Curl, a cardiologist at Curl Cardiology & Associates, is confident the new research will help him treat his African-American patients.

The Annals of Emergency Medicine published a study that found nine in 10 African-American patients with hypertension also were diagnosed with heart disease, related to high blood pressure, even though they showed no symptomatic signs of the disease. In the study, 93 percent of participants had a history of hypertension, but did not know their high blood pressure was affecting their hearts. These findings concur with the HHS findings that show while African-Americans are 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure; they're 10 percent less likely than non-Hispanic Caucasian people who have stable blood pressures.

"These results present a tremendous opportunity to screen for heart disease before it becomes symptomatic, especially in a population with high rates of hypertension," said Dr. Phillip Levy, author of the study. "If we can detect incipient heart disease early, we have a better shot at treating it before it turns into a full-blown health emergency."

Seth Michael Curl agreed with Levy, noting that early detection is not only the best way to treat heart disease, but high blood pressure too. A study found that more than 18,000 African-American adults, ages 18 to 85, with prehypertension were likely to have a 35 percent greater chance of progressing to high blood pressure than Caucasians.

Individuals can maintain a healthy blood pressure by employing a healthy lifestyle, such as using less salt, exercising and limiting alcohol use. Levy said that doctors should play a vital role in helping curb high rates of hypertension and heart disease in the African-American community.

"Emergency physicians are uniquely positioned to lessen the overall impact of chronic high blood pressure in at-risk communities," Levy said. "Blood pressure readings are taken for every patient in the ER. By not just taking in new information, but also acting on it, we can substantively contribute to the much-needed secondary disease prevention efforts."

Seth Michael Curl supports Levy's philosophy by educating his patients on the importance of preventing heart disease and high blood pressure.

ABOUT:

Dr. Seth Michael Curl is a cardiologist at Curl Cardiology & Associates in Fresno, Calif. A graduate of California State University, Curl has more than 20 years of experience in the field. He specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of heart problems through echocardiograms, ambulatory ECGs, exercise tests and cardiac catheterizations.

Website: http://sethmichaelcurl.net