Conglomeración de precursores de tensión arterial elevada en adolescentes

Abstract

IntroductionHigh blood pressure and cardiovascular disease precursors may start in childhood and continue until adulthood. Usually these precursors occur in cluster. ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to analyze the cluster of high blood pressure precursors and to analyze the association of the cumulative frequency of these precursors with high blood pressure. MethodsCross-sectional study in a sample of 546 students aged 11 to 18 years in the city of Montería. Blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity and sedentary lifestyle were measured. The associations between high blood pressure and the cumulative frequency of precursors were explored with logistic regression models. ResultsThe most frequently found combination of precursors was the presence of two precursors, physical inactivity and excessive TV time (30.3%). It follows the simultaneous occurrence of three precursors: low cardiorespiratory fitness, physical inactivity, and excessive TV time (18.3%). Those adolescents with two or more precursors showed a significantly higher occurrence of high blood pressure compared to those in whom a lower accumulation of precursors was found. The occurrence of high blood pressure is significantly associated with the accumulation of precursors. ConclusionThe conglomeration of two or more precursors was significantly associated with the occurrence of high blood pressure. These findings indicate that interventions are needed to reduce the occurrence and accumulation of precursors studied, as well as to prevent the acquisition of high blood pressure in adolescents of Montería.