Cardiovascular risk factors in people with high normal blood pressure in Russian population (based on data obtained in ESSE-RF epidemiological study)

Abstract

Introduction. High normal blood pressure (HNBP) is reported to result in arterial hypertension (AH), especially when associated with various risk factors. Still only few studies on HNBP prevalence in Russian population have been carried out. Objective. To study the prevalence of HNBP and its association with age, gender, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in adult population of 12 regions of Russia. The study is based on data obtained in ESSE-RF (Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in Different Regions of Russian Federation) study. Materials and methods. The analysis of data obtained in ESSE-RF study, which included 21 887 patients aged 25-64 years, was performed. The group of patients not taking antihypertensive and/or statin therapy (n=12 897, 41 % male, 59% female) was selected for the analysis. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to blood pressure (BP) levels. The first group included 7095 patients with normal BP, the second group included 2415 patients with HNBP (130-139/85-89 mmHg), the third - 3387 patients with AH. A detailed analysis of CVRFs was performed, including family history, obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), ischemic heart disease (IHD), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol levels, and glucose level. Results. The prevalence of HNBP was 19% (22% in male population, 16% in female). The prevalence rates were higher in younger age male groups (< 45 years); in female groups the prevalence rates correlated with age. The patients with HNBP had more CVRFs than ones with normal BP. According to multivariant analysis, HNBP was associated with obesity with odds ratio (OR) from 1.32, (95% confidence interval [CI]), to 1.7 (95% CI); gender with OR from 1.54 (95% CI) to 3.89 (95% CI); high LDL and cholesterol levels, and high glucose levels. No direct relation between HNBP and positive family history, DM or IHD was found. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that HNBP is a relevant issue in Russia that requires further research. It also illustrates the necessity of targeting the individuals with HNBP in order to control CVRFs.