Prevalence of hypertension in the U.S. adult population and its association with various behavioral risk factors

Title from first page of PDF file (viewed November 29, 2010)Includes bibliographical references (p. 25)Background: Trends in Health Behaviors of a Population are essential to monitor as they are important in predicting the disease burden in the population. Hypertension is a chronic disease which after its diagnosis has to be controlled with medication (anti-hypertensive) and more importantly practice of healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, reduction of alcohol intake, increase of moderate physical activity. The prevalence of these behaviors in those who are diagnosed with Hypertension in both sexes and across all the age groups is measured in the study. Methods: The data analyzed was the BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) 2007 dataset which is a cross sectional study which makes use of a random telephonic Surveillance System) selected after random selection of the households. Since the outcome variable was dichotomous (hypertension -present or not present), logistic regression was the Method of choice. The exposures of interest are physical activity, age, smoking, alcohol and the association of them with diagnosis of hypertension .The risky behaviors which could be modified were to measured and that is why other medically relevant risk factors such as Diabetes and family history were not included .The definition of hypertension used in the analysis was a positive answer to the question "have you been ever told by a physician that you have high blood pressure?" Results: Out of the 158798 participants analyzed, 27.5% were diagnosed with hypertension. The Prevalence rates of hypertension increased with age in the sample population. The rates varied across the age strata and were highest in the age group 65 years or older and were lowest in 18-24 years. Hypertension was 1.14 times lower in male smokers than in non smokers. (O.R =O.873 .95% C.I. = 0.841, 0.905) .It was 1.13 times lower in alcohol consumers than in thosewho do not consume alcohol. (O.R =O.884 95% C.I. =0.855, 0.914) Prevalence of Hypertension was times 1.47 higher in those with regular moderate Physical activity. (O.R =0.680 95% C.I. =0.497, 0.931).The prevalence of Hypertension was 1.07 times lower in current female smokers than in non current female smokers. (O.R =O.911 .95% C.I. = 0.890, 0.933) and was 1.5 times lower in alcohol consumers than in those who do not consume alcohol. (p=