The Prevalence of Hypertension Accompanied by High Homocysteine and its Risk Factors in a Rural Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast China

Abstract

Previous studies found that hypertension and high homocysteine (HHcy) exhibited a synergistic effect on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension accompanied by HHcy and its risk factors in the rural areas of northeast China. This study was conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method, and included 6529 subjects with complete data. Demographic characteristics were obtained from a questionnaire. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured, and serum indices were analyzed. Hypertension accompanied by HHcy was defined as hypertension plus HHcy [homocysteine (Hcy) > 10 µmol/L]. The mean concentration of Hcy was 17.29 μmol/L in the general population. The prevalence of hypertension accompanied by HHcy was so high that it reached 45.1% of our study population and accounted for 86.8% of the total participants with hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the modifiable risk factors of hypertension accompanied by HHcy included obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and inactive physical activities. We found that the mean level of Hcy, and the prevalences of HHcy and hypertension accompanied by HHcy were very high among the rural population of northeast China. Obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and inactive physical activities were modifiable risk factors of hypertension accompanied by HHcy.

Red cell distribution width and homocysteine act as independent risk factors for cardiovascular events in newly diagnostic essential hypertension

“…Actually, only a small number of hypertensive patients have an elevated blood pressure alone, with the majority exhibiting additional cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity [ 3 ], dyslipidemia [ 4 ], and hyperuricemia [ 5 ]. It was worth noting that about 75% of hypertensive patients exhibit high homocysteine (Hcy) in China [ 6 ] and several studies have revealed that hyperhomocysteinemia interacts with hypertension in significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular events (CVE) [ 7 ]. Elevated Hcy diminishes the vasodilation of nitric oxide, increases oxidative stress, stimulates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, lead to vascular constriction, and alters the elastic properties of the vascular wall [ 8 – 10 ].…”

Increased Homocysteine Plasma Levels in Breast Cancer Patients of a Mexican Population

“…In addition to these mechanisms, several factors could influence the development of BC. As a previous study has suggested, different dietary patterns may contribute to the observed differences in Hcy, which could upset the balance between the production and degradation of Hcy, resulting in HHcy [27]. These results suggest that the dietary pattern of studied population is rich in fat, food processing and freezing, which could contribute to weight gain in women with BC.…”

“…Nevertheless, HHcy is considered a risk factor in BC patients with increased body mass index (BMI; overweight, obesity). A variety of mechanisms for obesity and HHcy have been proposed that could contribute to the development of BC [27].…”

Lower or higher HDL-C levels are associated with cardiovascular events in the general population in rural China

“…They completed one questionnaire for the collection of relevant information, such as medical history, family history and socioeconomic factors. The details of the study design have been reported in previous papers, which were all cross-sectional analyses [19][20][21]. To better evaluate the possible CV risk factors among rural residents, a follow-up study was conducted from 2015 to 2017.…”