Hypertension and Its Risk Factors in the Population Covered by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

  Hypertension is recognized as one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between hypertension and its risk factors in the population referring to comprehensive health care centers affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

This case-control study was performed on the health assessment data of the population aged 30 years and above registered in the SINA system in 2017-2018. The present case-control study was conducted on 1500 cases who were selected by systematic random sampling and assigned to the case group (500 hypertensive patients) and control group (1000 subjects without a history of hypertension). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Based on the results, the risk factors for hypertension included settlement in urban areas (OR=2.914), body mass index≥ 25 (OR = 2.522), waist circumference˃90 (OR=2.409), sedentary lifestyle (OR=2.373), consumption of solid oil (OR=1.581), triglyceride level of ˃150 (OR=566), use of table salt (OR=1.547). On the other hand, the following were identified as protective factors against hypertension: hard labor jobs (OR=0.292), optimal physical activity (OR=0.421), and regular consumption of vitamin D (OR=0.625) (p <0.05).

The results will not only provide a solid foundation on potency of risk factors and protective factors for hypertension but will also give an invaluable insight to the health planning programs. The reduced prevalence of hypertension can be planned for with the identification of related risk and protective factors.