BOSTON, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — ?More than 300 members of the medical and scientific community will convene in Boston July 8 ? 10 for the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks' (ISHIB) 26th Annual Scientific Conference entitled "Understanding Cardiovascular Disease Risk Across the Lifespan," at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. ?The conference will feature plenary sessions, workshops,?symposia, and abstracts of new research on cardiovascular disease as well as other issues of importance to ethnic minority health and disparities.?

Key facts regarding hypertension in African Americans:

• African Americans have the highest rates of hypertension of any race or ethnic type in the world.
• 35% of African Americans have hypertension, which accounts for 20% of the African American deaths in the United States – twice the percentage of deaths among whites from hypertension.
• Among African Americans, more women than men have hypertension.
• Compared with whites, hypertension develops earlier in life and average blood pressures are much higher in African Americans.
• African Americans with high blood pressure have an 80% higher chance of dying from a stroke than in the general population.
• African Americans with high blood pressure have a 4 times greater risk of developing hypertension related end stage kidney disease than the general population.

"We chose Boston because it is a center for innovation, research and excellence in healthcare. ?Hosting our conference here allows ISHIB to connect with many leaders in the medical and scientific fields," said Executive Director, Ted Lewis.

Conference presenters include Massachusetts' Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of Health and Human Services and Partners Healthcare CEO Dr. Gary Gottlieb.

Sessions will include high-level research findings from the most recent clinical trials, proven approaches for cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention, and behavioral techniques specifically designed to address minority patients.

For conference information visit http://www.ishib.org/ISHIB2011 .

About ISHIB

ISHIB is a professional medical membership organization devoted to improving the health and life expectancy of ethnic populations. ISHIB was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1986 to respond to the problem of high blood pressure among ethnic populations. Each year, its international interdisciplinary conference presents advancements in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and the reduction of health disparities among ethnic minority populations.

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SOURCE International Society of Hypertension in Blacks