Caregiving may lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure amongst young Black women, according to a new study.
Published online in the American Heart Association Journal Hypertension, researchers found that, as a caregiver, Black women from the ages of 21 to 44 are more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension.
Led by a group of researchers from NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, nearly 52% of all women involved in the study reported that they developed high blood pressure as a result of having moderate to high caregiving stress. Nearly 41% with low caregiving or no caregiving stress reported that they did not.
To gauge the participants’ responses, the study was conducted using a global perceived stress scale. The women rated answers to stress-related questions, with one being not stressful and four being very stressful.
A new NYU Langone Health study found that Black women ages 21-44 who are caregivers face a higher risk of high blood pressure, a link that has been understudied in this age group.
— NYU Langone Health (@nyulangone) December 16, 2024
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“Given the high lifetime risk of CVD, especially among reproductive-age Black women, we need to better identify the root causes contributing to the strain,” said senior study author Tanya M. Spruill, PhD, associate professor at NYU Langone Health. “If a lack of affordable childcare is a source, then linkage to childcare resources could be one solution.”
The latest study comes nearly four years after a Nationwide survey revealed that the pandemic has exacerbated the amount of stress Black caregivers have.
Per the survey, out of 313 Black participants, 67% of caregivers said that they had extra stress worrying about their loved ones getting sick.
Approximately 54% said that they felt that they could not have a day to themselves, while only 58% said that they felt they were financially ready to deal with caregiving responsibilities. Nearly two-thirds of caregivers also agreed they would like more help to deal with their responsibilities.
“The pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Black community greater than other populations,” said the senior vice president of the Nationwide Retirement Institute, Kristi Rodriguez, per a press release. “Many Black caregivers are struggling to balance work while providing care or have experienced a financial hit due to COVID-19. Despite these obstacles, they continue to provide care for their loved ones every day.”
