Facts about The Strong Heart Study

• The Strong Heart Study (SHS) is a study of cardiovascular and its risk factors among American Indians.

• The SHS has a field center in each of the following areas: Arizona, the MedStar Health Research Institute The Strong Heart Study Dakotas, and . SHS also 1616 E. Indian School Road has a coordinating center in Suite #250 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Oklahoma, Penn Medical Laboratory Phone: (602) 277-0488 in Washington DC, an ECG and Dakotas ultrasound reading center at Weill Strong Heart Study – Dakota Center Medical College of Cornell University Missouri Breaks Industries Research Inc. in New York, and a genetics center in HCR 64, Box 52 Timber Lake, SD 57656 San Antonio, TX. Phone: (605) 964-3418 or (605)-964-1260

• SHS began in 1988 and has continued Oklahoma High Blood Center for American Indian Health Research through five phases of study. SHS University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center added other family members to the Phone: 1-888-231-4671

study in 1997. Strong Heart Study Field Clinic Lawton, Oklahoma Lawton Indian Hospital Pressure • SHS is the largest, longest 1515 N.E. Lawrie Tatum Road longitudinal study in the U.S. of heart Lawton, OK 73507 Phone: (580) 248-7715 disease and its risk factors in () individuals with Strong Heart Study Field Clinic Anadarko, Oklahoma Anadarko Indian Health Center . 115 Northeast Old Town Drive Anadarko, OK 73005 • SHS is a population Phone: (405) 247-2458, ext. 8705

based study and has Visit our web site at: RESEARCH RESULTS AND a retention rate of INFORMATION FROM: 90%. This shows the http://strongheart.ouhsc.edu STRONG HEART extraordinary The Strong Heart Study is supported by the National Heart, commitment of SHS Lung, and Blood Institute, a component of the National STUDY Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and participants. Human Services. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

What is High Blood Pressure? Hypertension Rates • For American Indians of age 50 and younger, men have higher hypertension rates than Blood pressure (BP) is a measurement of the force The following charts compare hypertension rates women; for age 60 and older, women have against the walls of your arteries as the heart between the American Indians and the U.S. Non- Hispanic Whites. The data were collected from the higher hypertension rates than men pumps blood through the body. High blood Strong Heart Study (SHS — American Indians) and • Reduction of hypertension should focus on pressure, also known as hypertension, is a from the National Health and Nutrition Examination prevention, treatment and control of blood condition in which the blood pressure stays high Survey (NHANES — Non-Hispanic Whites). regularly. pressure, especially for young American Hypertension Rates in American Indians and Non-Hispanic Whites Indians

High blood pressure places a strain on your heart, American Indians Non-Hispanic Whites which has to work harder to pump blood through How to Prevent Hypertension? the body. It increases your chance of having a 50 • Follow a healthy eating plan, and limit the 45 , heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, 40 amount of salt and alcohol you consume and damage to other organs . If you have diabetes, 35 30 • Lose weight if you are overweight or obese the risks are even higher. 25 rates (%) 20 • Be physically active at least 30 minutes/day 15 • Quit smoking 10 Criteria for Hypertension 5 • Manage your exposure to stress and learn to BP in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) 0 cope with stress Men Women Sex Category Systolic Diastolic Hypertension Rates by Age (top number) (bottom number) How to Treat Hypertension? American Indians Non-Hispanic Whites Normal Less than 120 and Less than 80 For children and teens:

Pre-hypertension 120-139 or 80-89 90 - Healthy eating focus on fruits and vegetables 80 - Be physically active for 1 – 2 hours per day Hypertension 70 60 - Maintain healthy weight Stage 1 140-159 or 90-99 50 40 For adults: Stage 2 160 or higher or 100 or higher (%) rates 30 20 - Take all blood pressure medicines that your 10 0 doctor prescribes 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Major Causes of Hypertension Men Women

• Obesity Age Category Remember, keeping your blood • Too much intake of salt What have we learned: pressure normal will reduce your • Family history of high blood pressure • Diabetes • The hypertension rate is higher among American chance of having heart disease, • Smoking Indians than Non-Hispanic Whites. Differences are stroke, and kidney disease! • Alcohol largest in younger ages • Stress and anxiety