Abstract

In an attempt to examine the risk factors and analyze an odds ratio for risk factors associated with mild and moderate. severe hypertension, this study was carried out from August, 1987 to September, 1997. From periodic health examinations of insured adults, 747 subjects were assigned to nomotensives, mild hypertensives and moderate.severe hypertensives. Major findings obtained from the study are as follows: 1. The Body mass index(BMI) was revealed a significant difference among the 3 groups. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the BMI and systolic, dyastolic blood pressure. 2. Cholesterol was revealed to be significantly different among the 3 groups. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the cholesterol and systolic, dyastolic blood pressure. 3. Urine protein and a cardiovascular family history was revealed to be significantly different among the 3 groups. The presence of urine protein and cardiovascular family history were significantly higher in hypertensives than nomotensives. 4. A preference for salty food, a preference for flesh and the frequency of flesh eating were not significantly different among the 3 groups. 5. Smoking habits, frequency and duration of cigarette smoking were not significantly different among 3 groups. 6. The habit of alcohol consumption and the frequency and duration of alcohol consumption were not significantly different among the 3 groups. 7. The habit of exercise and its frequency and duration were not significantly different among the 3 groups. 8. Statistically significant elevated odds ratios were noted in the following BMI(mild hypertensives; 2.48, moderate.severe hypertensives ; 4.65), urine protein(mild hypertensives ; 2.37, moderate.severe hypertensives; 6.77), cholesterol(moderate.severe hypertensives ;1.64), cardiovascular family histoy(moderate.severe hypertensives; 4.77). Based on these results, the significant risk factors of mild, moderate. severe hypertension were BMI, cholesterol, urine protein, and family history, but diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise had no significant association.