Prevalence of Pre-hypertension among the Urban Population of Southern India

Abstract

Introduction: Most of the disease burden because of hypertension is preventable if right action is taken at right time. Public health intervention at the pre-hypertensive stage becomes important in this regard. Hence this study was conducted with an objective to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and determine the factors associated with prehypertesion. Methods: Cross sectional study with 389 participants was carried out among urban population. Data regarding basic demographic characteristics including anthropometric measurements height and weight were collected. Systolic blood pressure between 120-139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure between80-89 mm Hg was taken as cut off values to define prehypertension. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, t-test and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Prevalence of prehypertension was estimated to be 33.7%. Various factors such as age, extra salt intake, alcohol consumption, BMI were significantly associated with prehypertension. Conclusion: There is increasing prevalence of prehypertension. Simple lifestyle modifications such as low intake of salt, reducing alcohol can reduce overall blood pressure. Early intervention would decrease the future burden of hypertension.

Keywords

• Prehypertension
• ypertension
• risk factor
• BMI
• JNC 7
• Stress