Racial differences in maximal vasodilatory capacity of forearm resistance vessels in normotensive young adults.

This study was performed to determine whether alterations in vascular structure exist in a biracial population of young (age 22.3±0.6 yrs [mean+ SE]) normotensive men. We examined maximal vasodilatory capacity in 21 blacks and 20 whites (average blood pressure =122/75 and 118/72 mm Hg, respectively). Forearm blood flow was determined at rest and after 10 min of ischemic handgrip exercise using venous occlusion plethysmography. Forearm vascular resistance was computed from blood flow and mean arterial blood pressure determined by auscultation