Hypertension, BMI, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Hypertension is associated with body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCDs). Whether hypertension modifies the relationship between BMI and CCDs is still unclear. We examined the association between BMI and CCDs and tested whether effect measure modification was present by hypertension. We identified a population-based sample of 3,942 participants in Shuncheng, Fushun, Liaoning, China. Hypertension was defined as any past use of antihypertensive medication or having a measured systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥130/80 mm Hg. BMI was calculated from measured body weight and body height. Data on diagnosed CCDs were self-reported and validated in the medical records. We used logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between BMI and CCDs. Higher BMI was associated with increased odds of having CCDs (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07–1.31). This association was significantly modified by hypertension (P for interaction 0.10). Although higher BMI was associated with increased odds of CCDs, the relationship was mainly limited to hypertensive patients.