[Arterial hypertension and its correlation with some risk factors in a small brazilian town]

Flávia Miquetichuc Nogueira Nascente1, Paulo César Brandão Veiga Jardim, Maria do Rosário Gondim Peixoto

  • 1Liga de Hipertensão Arterial, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.

Insights

Arterial hypertension (AH) affects many adults, with a high prevalence of 32.7% found in Firminopolis, Brazil. Higher Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and age correlated with AH, while education showed a protective effect.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Preventive Medicine

Context:

  • Arterial hypertension (AH) is a significant global health issue, characterized by high rates of undiagnosed cases and treatment nonadherence.
  • Brazil faces a substantial burden of cardiovascular diseases, making local prevalence studies crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose:

  • To determine the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) in the adult population of Firminopolis, Goiás, Brazil.
  • To investigate the correlation between AH and key cardiovascular risk factors, including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), age, and educational level.

Summary:

  • A cross-sectional study of 1,168 adults in Firminopolis revealed a 32.7% prevalence of AH.
  • Significant correlations were found between AH and increased BMI, elevated WC, and older age.
  • Conversely, a higher level of schooling was negatively correlated with AH, suggesting a protective effect.

Impact:

  • Findings highlight the substantial public health challenge posed by AH in this Brazilian community.
  • Identifies specific risk factors (BMI, WC, age) and a protective factor (education) to inform targeted prevention and management strategies.
  • Provides essential data for public health policies aimed at reducing the burden of hypertension in similar populations.
Abstract

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