Prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension and prehypertension in a working population at high altitude in China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundLittle information is available on the epidemiology of hypertension and prehypertension at high altitude in China, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension, prehypertension and their risk factors among Chinese working population at high altitude regions.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was performed in an occupational sample of 4198 employees aged 20–59 years on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau between May to July 2013. Information from a self-administered questionnaire, physical examinations and laboratory measurements were obtained from each participant. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine the association of various risk factors with hypertension and prehypertension.ResultsThe total crude prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was 28.1 and 41.5%, respectively; the overall standardized prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was 26.7 and 41.3%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, sex, ethnicity, job position, overweight or obesity, frequent drinking, family history of hypertension, diabetes and hyperuricemia were risk factors for hypertension, and age, sex, education, job position, overweight or obesity, current smoking and family history of hypertension were risk factors for prehypertension. Among the hypertensives, 36.5% were aware of their condition, 19.4% were being treated and 6.2% had their blood pressure (BP) controlled; among the treated hypertensives, 31.9% had their BP under control.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in the working population at high altitude in China, but with very low awareness, treatment and control rates. Workplace-based BP screening and intervention programs that aim to modify risk factors such as high BMI, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and inappropriate use of antihypertensive medicine are urgently needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12199-017-0634-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk factors for prehypertension and their interactive effect: a cross- sectional survey in China

“…Laboratory stressor tests showed that healthy subjects with family history of cardiovascular diseases had a more positive hemodynamic responsiveness to stressor tests [ 72 ]. Our results demonstrated that smokers had 1.67 fold risks in getting prehypertension, while other researchers failed to report a significant relationship [ 31 , 34 ]. This may be due to the various standards of smoking.…”

“…With the rapid economic and social development, the number of Chinese adults with prehypertension has become considerably massive [ 30 – 34 ]. The prevalence of prehypertension (33.93%) in this study was consistent with the survey conducted in Taiwanese adults (34.0%) [ 30 ], higher than that of adults living in Inner Mongolia (28.77%) [ 10 ], Jiangxi province (32.3%) [ 31 ] and Zhejiang province (32.1%) [ 32 ], but lower than the rate in Hubei Province (42.2%) [ 33 ] and Qinghai Province (41.3%) [ 34 ]. China is a vast multi-ethnic country, consequently, the specific life styles and distinct socioeconomic status may influence the epidemic of prehypertension.…”

Prehypertension and hypertension prevalence and risk factors among adult population in Republic of Serbia: A cross-sectional study

“…It is estimated that HTN prevalence has decreased in high-income countries and increased in low-and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2010 16 . In lowand middle-income countries, aging and urbanisation with unhealthy lifestyle may play a role in the epidemic of HTN [16][17][18] .…”

Obesity-related hypertension: Findings from The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2010

“…Therefore, younger-aged subjects' prehypertension with obesity may need to be screened and managed properly for preventing hypertension [40]. In addition, hypertension could be masked among prehypertensive obese young persons, and it might require regular BP checks for screening [41]. This population might have elevated BP at a certain time; therefore, elevated BP can be detected [42].…”