The Role of Lifestyle Factors in Controlling Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients in Two Health Facilities in Urban Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction. Despite efforts to combat hypertension by pharmacotherapy, hypertension control rates remain low. Lifestyle modifications of individuals diagnosed with hypertension have prospects for the prevention and control of hypertension. This study assessed the effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on blood pressure control among adults in urban Accra. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 360 diagnosed hypertensive patients who were ≥18 years old, selected from two secondary-level referral hospitals in the Greater Accra Region, were interviewed. Demographic information, diet components, and exercise assessments as well as blood pressure measurements were taken. Chi-squared tests and binomial logistic regression were used to determine the association between demographic and lifestyle factors with blood pressure control. Area under the receiver-operator curves (AUROC) was used to identify lifestyle factors predicting optimal blood pressure control among patients diagnosed with hypertension. Results. Approximately 54.2% of participants had no knowledge of either causes or complications of hypertension. Similarly, 52.5% of patients that had not achieved blood pressure control lacked knowledge of causes or complications of hypertension. Longer time since diagnosis of 2–5 years (AOR = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.47)) and 6–10 years (AOR = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.50)) and diets, mainly composed of meat (AOR = 0.13 (95% CI: 0.02–0.70)) and starch (AOR = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03–0.79)), predicted poor blood pressure control compared to patients diagnosed within a year and diets without meat and starch as main components, respectively. Additionally, engaging in some physical activity of 30 minutes to one hour (AOR = 5.64 (95% CI: 2.08–15.32)) and more than an hour (AOR = 11.38, 95% CI: 2.01–64.47)) predicted blood pressure control. Conclusion. The study concludes that increased physical activity, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, and reduced intake of carbohydrates, meat, and fat have a positive influence on blood pressure control. Lifestyle modifying factors have a key role in complementing pharmacotherapy in hypertension control.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of lifestyle modification and associated factors among hypertensive patients on-treatment follow up at Yekatit 12 General Hospital in the largest city of East Africa: A prospective cross-sectional study

“…On the contrary, good practices had been documented from the study conducted in eastern Ethiopia [ 58 ], wherefrom the total of 200 participants around 50% had a good practice on lifestyle modification recommended for hypertension management. Additionally, a prior study from Ghana concluded that the practices of modifying lifestyle factors (increased physical activity, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, and increased intake of fruits and vegetables) in the study subjects are good [ 59 ]. But, an Iranian recent study reported poor adherence and practice to modifiable lifestyle, which is significantly higher in newly diagnosed patients (30.52%) than those who were previously on antihypertensive medication (27.14%) [ 60 ].…”

A Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network Model to Classify Hypertension in Adolescents Using Anthropometric Measurements: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sarawak, Malaysia

“…For example, smoking and kidney conditions were required in [ 27 ]; family history, history of hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery bypass graft in [ 29 ]; and diabetes data in [ 26 , 27 , 29 ]. Yet, self-reported diabetes and other medical history conditions are not reliable [ 36 ], and the lifestyle parameters reporting are subjective [ 37 ].…”

“…From the most recent and relevant research mentioned above, it could be concluded that the use of anthropometric indices together with sociodemographic and lifestyle parameters is beneficial as an initial screening for hypertension. As self-reported diabetes and hypertension are not reliable [ 36 ] and the lifestyle parameters reporting are subjective [ 37 ], in our work, only simple anthropometric measurements together with sociodemographic data are used as the features to predict cases of hypertension. We want to look into how basic anthropometric measurements combined with sociodemographic data may be used to predict hypertension in adolescents and which variables contribute to predicting hypertension.…”

Comprehensive effects of lifestyle reform, adherence, and related factors on hypertension control: A review

“…To monitor and manage hypertensive patients in the best way possible, a comprehensive intervention is needed 60,61 ; this is dependent on many interconnected factors relating to the patient and the healthcare provider as well as how care is provided 62,63 . Previous studies by Modey Amoah et al., 59 show that BP control in patients taking antihypertensive medication is related to modifiable parameters such as duration of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and diet composition.…”