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Factors related to blood pressure in a general population sample of Swedish men
Insights
This study on middle-aged men found that hypertension is often poorly controlled, even with treatment. Factors like heart rate and body weight showed weak links to blood pressure, while physical activity did not.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hypertension prevalence and control are critical public health concerns.
- Understanding risk factors for elevated blood pressure is essential for primary prevention.
- Previous research indicates multifactorial influences on blood pressure regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in a population sample of middle-aged men.
- To investigate the relationship between BP and factors including body weight, heredity, smoking, and physical activity.
- To evaluate the control of hypertension in treated and untreated individuals.
Main Methods:
- A random population sample of men aged 47-54 years underwent screening examinations.
- Data collected included blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, smoking habits, and physical activity.
- Hereditary factors for myocardial infarction and stroke were also assessed.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of both treated (43% SBP, 30% DBP) and untreated (10% SBP, 6% DBP) men had elevated blood pressure.
- Weak positive correlations were observed between heart rate and BP, and relative body weight and BP.
- Higher heart rate and relative body weight were noted in treated hypertensive individuals.
Conclusions:
- Hypertension control remains a significant challenge in this middle-aged male population.
- Heart rate and relative body weight are weakly associated with blood pressure.
- Heredity shows a slight association with BP, while smoking has a weak link to diastolic BP; physical activity shows no correlation.
Abstract:
Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), height, weight, hereditary factors, smoking habits and physical activity have been determined in a random population sample of men aged 47-54 years attending a screening examination, which was part of a multifactor primary preventive trial. Of the 9,967 men who were invited to the study, 83% answered a postal questionnaire and 75% took part in the screening examination. Of all persons not on antihypertensive treatment, 10% had systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than 175 mmHg and 6% had diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than 115 mmHg. Of those on hypotensive treatment 43% had SBP greater than 175 mmHg and 30% had DBP greater than 115 mmHg, indicating that the hypertension was not well controlled. A weak positive correlation was found between HR and BP and between relative body weight (RBW) (defined as [weight/height] - 100) and BP. Both HR and RBW were higher in the treated hypertensives than in the remainder of the population studied. Subjects with a positive heredity for myocardial infarction or stroke had a significantly higher BP than persons with a negative heredity, but the absolute differences were small. A weak relationship was demonstrated between smoking habits and DBP, with the lowest BP in persons smoking greater than 25 cigarettes a day. There was no relationship between the degree of physical activity and BP.