156 socio demographic and lifestyle differences in known hypertensives and normotensives - results from community screening clinics

Document Type

Article

Department

Family Medicine

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to find the differences in socio demographic and lifestyle factors between known hypertensives and normotensives which may be associated with poor control of blood pressure and increase the risk of hypertension in general public.
Design and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 251 participants who presented to seven primary care clinics at different sites of Karachi on the occasion of World Hypertension Day. Family Physicians collected information on a structured questionnaire. SPSS v16 was used for data analysis. Difference in proportions between groups was calculated by chi-square.
Results: One thirds (39%) of the participants were known to be hypertensives of which almost two thirds 57% had uncontrolled BP. More women than men were known to be hypertensives (46% vs 31%, p value 0.015). Coexisting diabetes (28% vs 8%,p < 0.001) and coronary artery disease (12% vs 5%, p 0.04) was more common in known hypertensives. Known hypertensives were found to be overweight (88% vs 67%, p < 0.001); obese (72% vs 52% p < 0.002) and had increase waist circumference: 86% vs 60%, p < 0.001. Frequency of exercise was low (32%) but usage of vegetable was high (57%) in both groups. Both fruit (41% vs 55%, p 0.04) and fast food consumption (21%vs 34%, p 0.027) was in low in hypertensives.
Conclusions: Poor lifestyle practices are prevalent in known hypertensives as well as normotensives. There is a need to increase awareness of risks of poor lifestyle practices in both the groups.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of Hypertension

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