Family History of Hypertension and Blood Pressure in a Screened Cohort.

Abstract

We sought to determine whether a family history of hypertension is quantitatively associated with the prevalence of hypertension and blood pressure in a screened cohort. Clinical data and family (parents and siblings) histories regarding hypertension were collected from 9,914 individuals (probands) who were interviewed and examined during a one-day clinic by the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association in 1997. We used logistic analysis to calculate odds ratios with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, total cholesterol, presence of diabetes mellitus, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and status of physical exercise. The age- and sex-adjusted hypertension prevalences in probands were 29.0% for those with 1 family member with a history of hypertension (n=2,112), 37.6% for those with 2 hypertensive family members (n=374), and 47.3% for those with 3 or more hypertensive family members (n=68). In contrast, only 16.4% of probands who reported no family history of hypertension (n=7,360) were hypertensive themselves. The trend of the prevalence according to the number of family members with a history of hypertension was significantly positive (p=0.003). The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of hypertension were 2.74 (2.43-3.10) for 1 member, 4.62 (3.62-5.90) for 2 members, and 6.04 (3.51-10.4) for 3 or more members with a history of hypertension. In patients without antihypertensive medication (n=9,009), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (mean +/- SD) was 121 +/- 17/75 +/- 11 for 1 member, 124 +/- 18/77 +/- 12 for 2 members, and 127 +/- 17/78 +/- 11 for 3 or more members with a history of hypertension. In contrast, the mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure of probands who reported no family history of hypertension (n=7,360) was 119 +/- 15/74 +/- 10 mmHg, which was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of any of the groups with hypertensive family members. In conclusion, an increase in the number of family members with hypertension was associated with an increasing prevalence of hypertension and blood pressure in the probands, independent of conventional risk factors for hypertension. Family members of hypertensive subjects may need to be treated in primary prevention efforts related to hypertension.

A 17-Year Follow-Up Study of Hypertensive and Normotensive Male University Students in Japan.

“…There have been many reports on the history of hypertension in parents that emphasize the importance of this risk factor (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). In young adults, 30-40% of individuals with at least one hypertensive parent will themselves develop hypertension (30).…”

The Okinawa Screening Program

“…Screenees responded to a questionnaire pertaining to lifestyle issues including smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise habits. They also provided information regarding medical history and current medications (12)(13)(14). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height squared in meters (kg/m 2 ).…”

Stages of Change for Salt Intake and Urinary Salt Excretion: Baseline Results from the High-Risk and Population Strategy for Occupational Health Promotion (HIPOP-OHP) Study

“…Hypertension due to excess salt intake has been the most attributable risk factor for stroke (10,11), though several risk factors for hypertension exist (12)(13)(14). The average salt intake of the Japanese is still higher than that of people in Western populations (15).…”