[High blood pressure and associated lifestyles in an urban population in Argentina]

The American Heart Association (AHA/ACC) sets as a goal for blood pressure (BP) control not to exceed values of 130/80 mmHg, both in individuals with and without a diagnosis of hypertension (HT), standards not evaluated so far in the Argentine population. The objective was to determine the prevalence of high BP (HBP) in individuals with and without a diagnosis of HT taking into account the AHA/ACC criteria and to evaluate its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Cross-sectional populationbased study in 911 persons >18 years of age in Córdoba, Argentina (period 2020-2022). Sociodemographic and lifestyle data, history of HT, diabetes and medication use, anthropometric measurements, BP and dietary intake were collected. HBP was defined for systolic and/or diastolic BP ≥130 / ≥80mmHg, respectively at the time of measurement. The presence of HT was assessed by self-report and/or consumption of antihypertensive medication. The association of HBP with lifestyle was assessed using multiple logistic regression models.

84.8% and 55.6% of the patients with and without hypertension had HBP, respectively. HBP was positively associated with age and BMI, the latter only in persons without HT (OR:1.10; 95%CI:1.06-1.14), while hours of sleep showed an inverse association (OR:0.63; 95%CI:0.45-0.88).

There is a high prevalence of HBP in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. It is of utmost importance and urgency to implement sanitary measures to control BP in order to avoid adverse health consequences.