Waist height ratio and waist circumference in relation to hypertension, Framingham risk score in hospitalized elderly Egyptians

Background: Hypertension is a public health problem and obesity is becoming an epidemic, increasing the risk of hypertension. Both are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods: A case control study recruiting 102 patients aged ≥60 years, divided into 55 cases with hypertension and 47 controls without. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were measured as well as lipid profile then Framingham risk score (FRS) was calculated. Results: Odds ratio (OR) for hypertension and medium to high risk cardiovascular events was the same in female patients using WC and WHtR. In male patients, only WHtR increased the risk for hypertension and for cardiovascular events, OR significantly increased with higher WHtR compared to WC. Conclusion: WHtR and WC are strong risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular events in Egyptian elderly female patients. WHtR is the best anthropometric predictor for hypertension and cardiovascular events in male patients. Keywords: Hypertension, Waist to height ratio, Waist circumference, Framingham risk, Egyptian