Bridging gaps in risk factor control and adherence to recommended lifestyle among Non-Elderly hypertensive patients

Hypertension is a significant public health concern, especially among younger adults. Effective management of risk factors and adherence to recommended lifestyle changes are crucial for preventing long-term cardiovascular complications. This study analyzed data from 11,514 hypertensive participants aged 18 to 65 from the NHANES 1999-2018. Risk factor targets included BMI, LDL-C, waist circumference, and HbA1c, while lifestyle goals focused on smoking cessation, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sodium, and fiber intake. Statistical analyses involved chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression. The mean age was 50.66 years, with 50.94% being male. Only 15.62% of participants met the BMI target, 66.02% met the LDL-C target, and 29.19% achieved the waist circumference goal. Regarding lifestyle, 71.32% met the smoking cessation target, but only 23.45% met the physical activity goal, and 14.44% achieved sufficient fiber intake. Overall, just 2.41% of participants met all risk factor targets, and 0.03% met all lifestyle goals. Poorer outcomes were linked to lower socioeconomic status, lower education levels, and the presence of comorbidities. These findings highlight significant gaps in risk factor control and lifestyle adherence among non-elderly hypertensive patients, underscoring the need for tailored interventions to improve cardiovascular outcomes.