The association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and hypertension in women of the CARDIA study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension in midlife women, characterize the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and hypertension in women, and describe differences in hypertension prevalence by menopausal stage. We included 1,625 women, aged 43 to 55 years, with measurements of hs-CRP and detailed reproductive histories in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study at follow-up year 25. Prevalent hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, or use of antihypertensive medications. Logistic regression was used for analysis. The prevalence of hypertension was 25.8%, 37.8%, and 39.0% in premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women, respectively. The median (25th and 75th percentiles) of hs-CRP was 3.08 (1.12, 7.98) μg/mL and 1.18 (0.48, 3.15) μg/mL in women with and without hypertension, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, metabolic factors and body mass index, a doubling (100% increment) in hs-CRP levels was significantly associated with hypertension in premenopausal (1.27 [1.01-1.59]), but not in perimenopausal (1.12 [0.99-1.27]) or postmenopausal (1.09 [0.95-1.26]) women. Hypertension was common in midlife women. The association of hs-CRP and hypertension was consistent across menopausal stages. The association of hs-CRP with hypertension was independent of body mass index in premenopausal but not in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.