Imaging results ( * n) * QTcd at rest Examination Survey, 1988 ± 1994 , a stratified, multistage sample of the US civilian non-institutionalized population. The study involved detailed home interviews, a careful physical exam, laboratory and other measurements. The study sample comprised 5,063 subjects with HTN. Ethnicity indicators were non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) and Mexican ± Americans (MA). Socioeconomic indicators were years of education and the poverty ± income ratio (PIR). The outcome measures were treatment (self-report), adherence (self-report) and control of HTN (SBP < 140 and DBP < 90). Treatment measures were medication prescriptions, counseling to restrict salt or sodium, Counseling to lose weight, or use of other methods like exercise, restrict alcohol intake, and to change diet. Adherence measures were self-report of taking medications, report of salt or sodium restriction, attempts to lose weight, and report of other approaches like exercise, alcohol restriction, and to change diet. BP control was measured by taking the mean of 6 BP measurements taken on 2 different days. Multivariate regression analyses, while accounting for the complex sampling design by using the appropriate sampling weights, adjusted for age, sex, access to health care, obesity, and urbanization. Significant results (p < .05) are reported as means or as odds ratios (OR) with the referent category being NHW, PIR less than or equal to 1 or < 12 years education. RESULTS: There were no racial or socioeconomic differences in likelihood of prescription of medicines or weight reduction counseling. NHB were more likely to be counseled for salt restriction (OR 1.4) . Subjects with > 12 years education were more likely (OR 1.5) to be counseled to exercise, restrict alcohol intake, and to change diet. In subjects who were counseled, NHB (OR 1.6) and subjects with > 12 years education (OR 1.6) were more likely to report salt restriction. NHB were also more likely to attempt to lose weight (OR American adults over age 25 who completed the household questionnaire and laboratory exam in NHANES III. All respondents were asked:``Have you ever had your cholesterol checked?'' If respondents answered yes, they were asked:``Have you ever been told by a doctor that your cholesterol level was high?'' and``Because of your high cholesterol, have you ever been told by a doctor to take prescribed medication?'' If a prescription medication was taken, the interviewer asked to see the medication container. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the impact of race and ethnicity on cholesterol screening and on taking a cholesterol lowering medication. Unweighted counts and weighted percentages and odds ratios are presented. Odds ratios are adjusted to account for age, gender, income and, education, insurance status, comorbid illness and regular source of health care. RESULTS: African Americans and Mexican Americans were significantly less likely than whites to report ever having their blood cholesterol checked (Table 1) . Of those who were told to take medication, African Americans and Mexican Americans were significantly less likely to be taking a cholesterol-lowering agent ( Table 1 ). The mean total serum cholesterol (from the laboratory exam) of those who reported being told their cholesterol was high was 234 mg/dL as compared to a mean of 198 mg/dL of those who were not told their cholesterol was high (p < .001).