Cardiovascular health behavior and blood pressure in adolescents: A longitudinal analysis

Abstract

Background: The ideal cardiovascular health behaviors (ICHB) have been associated with a subsequent positive health status in adults. However, evidence regarding blood pressure (BP) and ICHB in adolescents is scarce. The aim of this prospective cohort was to evaluate the impact of accumulation of ICHB on BP values in adolescents over two years.

Methods: This is a longitudinal analysis with 445 adolescents (232 girls) aged 12-18 years old. Resting blood pressure was measured at baseline and 2 years later, and ICHBs at baseline according to standard procedures. Based on the American Heart Association definition, the ICHB index was defined as a sum of meeting the ICHBs (from 0 to 4, where 4 would be the healthiest profile of all ICHBs) for a healthy diet, physical activity, smoking status and body mass index.

Results: Adjusted means values (ANCOVA) of BP parameters through achievement of a greater number of (between 1-4) the ICHBs (adjusting for potential confounders, age, sex, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status) showed that, as increase the number of ICHB accumulated as a lower the BP levels [ICHB and SBP (F_3.435) = 4.501, p = 0.004), DBP (F_(3.435) = 2.725, p = 0.044), pulse pressure (F_(3.435) = 4.004, p = 0.008), and rate pressure product (F_(3.435) = 2.866, p = 0.036)] over two years.

Conclusion: A lower number of ICHB (smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, and diet) during adolescence play a key role on blood pressure over two years. A higher number of ICHB is seen to be associated with a lower risk of short-term, hypertension.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Cardio health; Health behaviors; Youth.