A family set method for estimating heredity and stress—I

A pilot survey designed to test the feasibility of measuring genetic and stress variables as they relate to blood pressure levels was carried out among Negroes residing in high and low stress census tracts in Detroit, 1966–1967 and it was found that proportions of persons with hypertensive levels were significantly greater in the high stress tract.

Abstract

A pilot survey designed to test the feasibility of measuring genetic and stress variables as they relate to blood pressure levels was carried out among Negroes residing in high and low stress census tracts in Detroit, 1966-1967. Fifty-six "family sets" or 280 persons were interviewed and blood pressure recordings were taken by trained nurses. Each family set was composed of an index, a spouse, a sibling and a first cousin of index, and an unrelated person in the census tract matched to index. The method and findings of obtaining such family sets is discussed and found to be encouraging enough to initiate a larger study. It was also found that proportions of persons with hypertensive levels were significantly greater in the high stress tract (32 per cent; N = 102) than in the low stress tract (19 per cent; N = 113).