8 HYPERTENSION RISK ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO THE FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY IN NON-HYPERTENSIVE MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

Abstract

Background: Arterial hypertension represents a great public health concern because it is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The incidence of hypertension increases with age, therefore middle-aged adults are a key demographic population for identifying those at high risk for hypertension. Objective: To study the Framingham hypertension risk scores in non-hypertensive middle-aged individuals. Design and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional observational study with 180 non-hypertensive individuals 36 to 55 years of age enrolled into the study at Puskesmas Kecamatan Pasar Minggu from June to August 2017. Predictors including sex, age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), smoking and parental hypertension were incorporated into the Framingham hypertension risk score calculator to assess the participants risk for developing hypertension in 4 years, 2 years and 1 year. Results: Female ratio of 1.2:1 and the mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 44.6 ± 5.4 years, SBP 119 ± 12 mmHg, DBP 78 ± 9 mmHg, BMI 24.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2. Smoking and parental hypertension proportion were 41% and 50%, respectively. The median risk of hypertension in 4 years was 11% (first quartile [Q1] = 4%, and third quartile [Q3] = 26%), in 2 years was 5% (Q1 = 2% and Q3 = 13%), and in 1 year was 2% (Q1 = 1% and Q3 = 6%). Conclusions: Identifying middle-aged adults at high risk for developing hypertension is important as the incidence increases with age. Public health measures focusing on hypertension prevention is of utmost importance.