Lifestyle, Socio-demographic and anthropometric profile of the hypertensive patients visiting urban health centre of North Delhi

Introduction: The prevalence of hypertension has been reported to be increasing in India due to changes in the lifestyle of people. The current prevalence of hypertension in India has been estimated to be 42.2% in urban areas and is supposed to increase in future requiring huge resources for management of hypertension cases and related cardiovascular co-morbidities. So in this study the lifestyle related factors causing hypertension was explored. Materials and Methods: Diagnosed hypertensive patients visiting urban health centre were included as study subjects. The participants were asked information on life style, socio-demographic characteristics and physical activities levels in 24 hours in the form of walking, sitting and sleeping. History of hypertension in family, treatment history for hypertension, stress factors, clinical signs and symptoms were recorded. Simultaneously the anthropometric measurements including height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Information on diet intake to calculate total calorie and protein intake per day was collected. Results: Total 44 patients participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 59.77±13.3 years. Family history of hypertension was in 47.72% participants. History of stress was in 68.18% participants. Calorie intake and protein intake per day was 1109.66±33.64 Kcal and 55.73±25.29gms. Spending time for walking of 2hrs per day was in 27.27% participants. BMI > 25 were in 65.9% participants. Waist circumference was > 95cm in 25% of males and > 85cm in 50% of females. Conclusion: Majority of participants were found to be overweight and sedentary. Participants were spending less time in walking. So the study recommends increasing physical activity, limiting calorie and protein intake and eliminating stressors will restrict progression of hypertension in hypertensive patients. Keywords: Calorie intake, Hhypertension, Life style, Physical activity, Protein intake, Stress, Waist ci