Risk Factors Predicting Hypertension in the Elderly

West Java has the second highest incidence of hypertension in the country, with a prevalence of 36.79% in the city of Bandung. The elderly have the highest rate of hypertension among all age groups. This study aimed to investigate non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, as well as the most common risk factors related to hypertension in the elderly.

In this cross-sectional, all patients who visited and received treatment at the general polyclinic and were registered in the Neglasari Health Centre’s report registration were investigated. There were 245 respondents in this survey. A basic random strategy was used to collect samples. Data were collected using questionnaires and observation sheets and analyzed by Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.

Age (p=0.000), family history (p=0.015), obesity (p=0.0001), physical activity (p=0.003), stress (p=0.000), excessive salt consumption (p=0.007), alcohol drinking (p=0.0001), and inadequate fiber consumption (p=0.0001) were risk factors for hypertension in the elderly. The degree of stress was the most important risk factor for the occurrence of hypertension in the elderly (OR=4.2).

Both non-modifiable (age and family history) and modifiable (obesity, physical activity, stress, excessive salt consumption, alcohol consumption, and low fiber consumption) factors can influence the occurrence of hypertension. Stress is the most significant factor linked to hypertension.