ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To establish Korean prevalence of hypertension, we surveyed male workers resident in Pohang by classification of JNC-5(FIFTH JOINT NATIONAL COMMITTEE CLASSIFICATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE) and further analysed association with age, working condition, body weight, fasting blood sugar, total serum cholesterol, tryglyceride, uric acid, drinking habit, smoking habit and amout of physical exercise. METHODS: We studied 13,052 male workers resident in Pohang from January 1993 to Novemver 1993. Each male worker completed a medical and occupational questionaire and blood pressure was taken. All blood sample were taken at venous blood under fasting state at morning. RESULTS: 1) The overall prevalence rate of hypertension by classification of JNC-5 was 16A percent and most of all hypertensives were in stage 1 and 2. 2) The systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly with age. 3) The prevalence of hypertension in shift workers was significantly higher than that of nonshift workers. 4) The prevalence of hypertension in the subjects of overweight, high fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid level was significantly higher than that of normal criteria group. 5) The prevalence of hypertension in smokers was not significantly higher than that of nonsmokers. 6) The prevalence of hypertension in nonalcoholics was significantly lower that that of heavy alcoholics. 7) The prevalece of hypertension of nonexerciser was significantly lower than that of heavy exerciser. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension by classitication of JNC-5 at male workers was 16.4percent. Increasing age, shift work, overweight, high fasting blood sugar, high serum total cholesterol and triglycerides ad uric acid level, heavy alcohol drinking significantly increased prevalence of hypertension.