الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Uncontrolled hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and one of the global leading causes of death. Hypertension affects 17.8 million Egyptian adults and only 2.4 million have it under control. Lifestyle modifications play a great rule in the management of hypertension. Objectives: To determine the association between the achievement of blood pressure (BP) control and adherence to recommended healthy lifestyle behaviors among hypertensive patients. Research methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study via interviewed questionnaire with adult (≥18 years old) hypertensive patients, who attended the outpatient clinic in Minia Cardiothoracic University Hospital (n=322). Results: The percentage of uncontrolled hypertension was found to be 34%, manual work was associated with control of hypertension (P=0.005). Salt, daily grains, sweets, proteins, ghee and hydrogenated oils were found to be significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension (P values= 0.001, 0.001, 0.004, 0.001,0.038 respectively). Vigorous intensity activities were found to be associated with controlled hypertension. Sedentary time was found to be associated with uncontrolled hypertension (P= 0.028). Body mass index was found to be inversely associated with hypertension control (P=0.003). Also higher stress score was associated with uncontrolled hypertension (P=0.001). Conclusions: The findings revealed that lifestyle behaviors such as nutritional habits, smoking duration, body weight, stress, and physical activity affect the control of hypertension. Recommendations: Public health programs that aim at raising awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyle as a mean of prevention of development of hypertension. Further studies to determine the effect of lifestyle behaviours on hypertension control are required in Egypt. Health workers attending to hypertensive patients should include comprehensive health education on lifestyle behaviours, Follow-up of hypertensive patients and periodic medical examination that includes screening for other co-morbid conditions and nutritional assessment. |