Sex, Age, BMI, and C-Reactive Protein Impact the Odds of Developing Hypertension-Findings Based on Data From the Health and Retirement Study (HRS)

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases and premature death, therefore determining factors that contribute to such a high burden of disease is critically important. This study examined anthropometric and physical measurements, as well as blood and saliva biomarkers, as predictors for hypertension using datasets from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study.

Methods: A total of 2,924 participants (aged 74.84 ± 6.45 years) were included. Binary logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of sex, age, telomere length, C-reactive protein (CRP), body mass index (BMI), and additional markers on the odds of developing hypertension.

Results: Males had 2.3 times the odds (odds ratio (OR) = 2.313, confidence interval (CI) 95% (1.391, 3.845); P = 0.001) of being hypertensive if they were obese, females had 1.7 times the odds (OR = 1.788, CI 95% (1.260, 2.536); P = 0.001) if overweight, and 2.4 times (OR = 2.479, CI 95% (1.693, 3.630); P < 0.001) if obese. Age in females was an independent predictor where every 1-year increase in age was tied to a 5.1% increase in being hypertensive (OR = 1.051, CI 95% (1.027, 1.075); P <0.001), and CRP (>3 mg/l) had 1.4 times the odds (OR = 1.447, CI 95% (1.079, 1.942); P = 0.014).

Conclusions: This study provides verification for BMI as a predictor for hypertension and proposes age and CRP as predictors for females. Specific sex differences and life stage should be considered when evaluating hypertension risk to improve clinical outcomes and promote healthy aging.

Keywords: BMI; C-reactive protein; blood pressure; hypertension; inflammation; telomere length.