# Prevalence and Management of Hypertension in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Amalapuram, India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

## TL;DR

This study finds a high rate of hypertension in a hospital in India, linked to lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.

## Contribution

The study provides local prevalence data and identifies modifiable risk factors for hypertension in a specific Indian population.

## Key findings

- The overall hypertension prevalence was 38.8%, higher in men (46.09%) than women (32%).
- Hypertension was significantly associated with BMI, physical activity, and socioeconomic status.
- Most hypertensive individuals reported low physical activity and no regular exercise.

## Abstract

Background

Hypertension is a major global health issue and a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality. It disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. Behavioral and lifestyle-related factors play a major role in raising blood pressure. Understanding local prevalence patterns and identifying modifiable risk factors are essential for developing effective prevention and control strategies.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center. Using consecutive sampling, a total of 240 participants were recruited. Data were collected using validated questionnaire forms, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US).

Results

The overall prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 93 (38.8%), with a marked difference between men (53 (46.09%)) and women (40 (32%)). Hypertension showed significant associations with key risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and socioeconomic status (p < 0.05). A substantial proportion of hypertensive individuals reported limited daily physical activity, with 68 (73%) engaging in less than 15 minutes of activity per day, while 69 (74%) reported no regular exercise.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates a high prevalence of hypertension with strong associations to modifiable lifestyle and socioeconomic factors. Targeted preventive strategies emphasizing physical activity, weight management, and health education are essential to reduce the burden of hypertension.