Genetic Determinants of Blood Pressure Level Among the Black Caribs of St. Vincent

Abstract

The Black Caribs of St. Vincent Island are a mixture of African, Arawak, and Carib (Venezuela) ancestry. The biological consequences of this tri-ethnic admixture in relation to blood pressure level was investigated in a sample of 421 Black Caribs from three villages, however, no statistically significant relationship was observed between African ancestry and blood pressure. Estimation of the heritability of blood pressure was determined utilizing familial data. Correlations between mother-offspring diastolic pressure and sib-sib systolic and diastolic pressures were significant at the 0.05 level. Mean blood pressure within various age cohorts were compared to Black American, Carawak, and African populations. The Black Caribs of St. Vincent Island appear to be more similar to Black Americans regarding changes in blood pressure level with age.