Prevalence and Effects of Various Risk Factors Influencing the Blood Pressure Values

Aim: Hypertension is major cardiovascular risk factor contributing to all cause mortality. The present study was aimed to determine the impact of socio-demographic variables and risk factors on the blood pressures (BP) of the subjects.

Place and Duration of the Study: A cross sectional study was conducted at Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic, Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, India from June to Oct, 2013.

Methodology: All retired defense personnel and their family members (N= 351) who attended polyclinic during study period were recruited to assess physical activity, body mass index, dietary habits, alcohol, family history, sleep, stress, over the counter (OTC) medications, employment status, and education as determinants of BP. The results were analyzed by Chi Square test with statistically significance of P value <0.05.

Results: The frequency of high BP as per JNC VII guidelines was observed as 47.90% with higher range in females (51.19%) than males (48.80%). The frequency significantly increased with age >50years (88.08%; P<0.001), unemployment status (76.19%; P<0.05) and low education levels (37.50%; P<0.05). An association of high BP with inadequate sleep (35.11%; P<0.05), sedentary lifestyle (63.69%), alcohol (26.78%), positive family history (36.30%), stress (20.83%), non-vegetarian dietary habits (44.64%), increased BMI (67.26%; P<0.05) and OTC medications misuse (15.47%) was found. Half of the subjects were diagnosed with high BP for more than five years (49.40%), two-third had controlled (67.26%) and compliant (69.64%) status, and more than two-third had awareness about their diagnosis of high BP (83.60%). The uncontrolled status, non-compliance towards treatment, and low awareness level regarding high blood pressure values was found among 32.73%, 30.35% and 08.19% of subjects, respectively.

Conclusion: This rising frequency of high BP and its associated factors must be monitored, treated and controlled by appropriate preventive and therapeutic approaches including lifestyle modifications, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, weight loss and maintenance, physical activity, stress management and pharmacotherapy.