A study on pre-hypertension and hypertension in a rural area of Kanyakumari District

The percentage of people affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing among adults in both high income and developing countries. Hypertension has been shown to be continuously and positively related to the risk of diseases in heart. Hypertension is reported to be the fourth contributor to premature death in developed countries and the seventh in developing countries Aims &Objectives: To find out the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension among persons>18 yrs of age. and to find out factors associated with pre-hypertension and hypertension. SUBJECTS & METHODS: It is a cross sectional study where 435 persons of both sexes above 18 years of age were included. The study involved administration of pretested questionnaire, measurements of blood pressure ,measurements of anthropometry . Results: The Prevalence of Pre hypertension and hypertension was 32.4% and 24.1% . The factors which were significantly associated with Prehypertnsion and Hypertension are age, family history of hypertension, Inadequate physical activity, excess salt intake, tobacco smoking, alcoholism, BMI > 25kg//m2 and less consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: Prehypertension and hypertension are associated with inadequate physical activity and who are consuming excess salt intake