Family history of hypertension and its relation to other variables in hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Hypertension, a key determinant of cardiovascular disease, is one of the major public health burdens worldwide. Family history is a known nonmodifiable risk factor for hypertension. This study aims to identify the family history of hypertension in terms of its prevalence and its association with various risk factors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 hypertensive patients visiting the general outpatient department of Shree Birendra Hospital using a simple random sampling method. The data were collected using a preformed questionnaire through a face-to-face interview approach. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2019 v16.0 and were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 21. Results: Out of 423 hypertensive individuals, 131 (30.97%) had a family history of hypertension, with grandparents having the greatest frequency (56.49%). In the multivariable model, the participants with age 60 years or older [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.54, 95% CI: 1.60–4.02, P < 0.001], female (AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.35–3.29, P = 0.001), and participants with government or private jobs, including farming (AOR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.59–4.35, P <0.001), were significantly associated with a family history of hypertension. Conclusions: Family history is an influencing factor in hypertension. Thus, it is possible to target people who have a family history of hypertension to identify undiagnosed hypertension cases in the community, as well as to modify risk factors and provide necessary interventions.