Blood Pressure and it´s association with lifestyles: Population based study in adults in Cordoba City, 2020-2021

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is a multifactorial pathology that can be monitored, and lifestyle plays a crucial role in its treatment and management. Objective: To analyze the relationship between blood pressure measure (BPM) and lifestyle, and to focus on the nutrition of adults in Cordoba from 2020 through 2021.

Observational, population-based, cross-sectional study in 578 adults aged ≥18 in Córdoba city. The food frequency intake, lifestyle, and physical activity level were collected, and weight, size, waist circumference (WC), neck circumference (NC), % body fat (%BF), and blood pressure were measured using validated instruments. Altered BP was considered according to the "Sociedad Argentina de Hipertensión Arterial-SAHA"(systolic blood pressure ≥ 130mmHg and/or Diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85mmHg). Total energy value (TEV) and diary intake of Calcium-Ca-, Phosphorus-P- y Sodium-Na- alimentary, excluding added salt, sweeteners, and food additives, were estimated utilizing Software -Nutrio-2.0. Descriptive analyses were made, and the Chi-squared test was used. Also, the Pearson correlation was used to verify the association between the variables. Multiple logistic regression models were built to associate the altered BP (Yes/No) with the studied variables of interest, utilizing α=0,05.

15.7% of the participants auto reported a diagnosis of HTA and 24.74% of the people presented altered BP. When correlating the variables with the BP, it was observed that there was a significant correlation (p<0.05) between them, indicating that as the BMI, WC, NC, and %BF increase, also the BPM levels grow. On the contrary, as the level of physical activity drops (MET-minutes/week), the BP increases. Regarding the alimentary intake, the mean intake of Na in the populations was 2445.6±394.5mg/day, regardless of the level of BPM (p=0.068). Concerning the intake of K and Ca, 78.55 % y 89.27% did not achieve the RDA, and the intake of inadequate Ca increased the chances of having an altered BPM -OR: 3.87, IC:1.35-11.05.

There is a high prevalence of people with altered blood pressure without knowing their physical state, and whose are associated with BP. Acquiring healthy habits show great importance for the control of the BP and the prevention of arterial hypertension.