Gender differences in the associations of circulating erythrocytes and hemoglobin with hypertension risk

Abstract

Objective Studies on associations of erythrocytes parameters with hypertension risk are scarce. We aimed to examine associations of the erythrocytes parameters with the hypertension risk and potential effect modification by gender using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Methods A total of 5419 eligible participants (2468 men, 45.5%) without hypertension at baseline in 2009 were included and followed for a median of 6.1 years. Parameters of erythrocytes and hemoglobin were measured at baseline. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratio for the associations between these parameters and hypertension risk. Data were collected from 2009 to 2015 and analyzed in 2021. Results A total of 1178 incident cases of hypertension were identified during the follow-up. In women, erythrocytes and hemoglobin were positively associated with risk of hypertension, yielding the highest hazard ratio in the third quartile of 1.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.28–1.97, P trend < 0.001) for erythrocytes and in the fourth quartile of 1.64 (95% confidence interval, 1.23–2.17, P trend < 0.001) for hemoglobin compared with their first quartile, respectively. In addition, quartiles of erythrocytes and hemoglobin were not associated with risk of hypertension in men (P trend > 0.050). Conclusion Erythrocytes and hemoglobin were associated with an increased risk of hypertension in women, but not in men. Our findings suggest that special attention for the prevention of hypertension should be given to those women with the moderate to high level of circulating erythrocytes and higher level of hemoglobin.

Factors influencing new‐onset hypertension in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A multicenter cohort study

“…Similarly, a previous study of the non‐anemic Japanese population with a BMI of <25 kg/m 2 suggested there was a positive association between Hb levels and the risk of hypertension 24 . Another cohort research of more than 5400 healthy individuals demonstrated Hb level was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in women, but not in men 25 . On the one hand, an increased Hb level will lead to increased blood viscosity and peripheral vascular resistance, thus increasing blood pressure.…”

“… 24 Another cohort research of more than 5400 healthy individuals demonstrated Hb level was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in women, but not in men. 25 On the one hand, an increased Hb level will lead to increased blood viscosity and peripheral vascular resistance, thus increasing blood pressure. A related reason for this may be that intermittent hypoxia caused by OSA may promote erythropoietin secretion in the kidney, increasing the number of red blood cells and the Hb level.…”