Domestic Physical Activity and New-Onset Hypertension: A Nationwide Cohort Study in China

Am J Med. 2022 Nov;135(11):1362-1370.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.04.023. Epub 2022 May 15.

Abstract

Background: The relation of domestic physical activity with hypertension remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the prospective relation of domestic physical activity and new-onset hypertension among Chinese males and females.

Methods: A total of 9254 adults who were free of hypertension at baseline were enrolled from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Data on domestic physical activity were obtained by using self-reported questionnaires, and calculated as metabolic equivalent task (MET)-hours/week. Metabolic equivalent task-hours/week may account for both intensity and time spent on activities. The study outcome was new-onset hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or diagnosed by physician or under antihypertensive treatment during the follow-up.

Results: A total of 2892 participants developed hypertension during 81996 person-years of follow-up. Overall, there were reversed J-shaped associations between the domestic physical activity and new-onset hypertension in both males and females (both P values for nonlinearity < .001). Consistently, when domestic physical activity was assessed as categories (<10, 10 -< 20, 20 -< 30, 30 -< 40, 40 -< 50, 50 -< 60, 60 -<70, 70 -< 80, 80 -< 90, 90 -< 100, ≥100 MET-hours/week), compared with those with domestic physical activity < 10 MET-hours/week, the lower and similar risks of new-onset hypertension were found in participants with domestic physical activity 30 -< 90 MET-hours/week in both males and females.

Conclusions: Moderate domestic physical activity was associated with a lower risk of new-onset hypertension among both males and females.

Keywords: China Health and Nutrition Survey; Domestic physical activity; New-onset hypertension; Physical activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology
  • Male