Asymptomatic hypertension among IT professionals and its association with known risk factors in Kolkata: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Hypertension remains silent, being generally asymptomatic during its clinical course. As it is hidden beneath an outwardly asymptomatic appearance, the disease does immense harm to the body in the form of 'Target Organ' damage; hence, the WHO has named it the 'Silent Killer'. In our country, prevalence of hypertension has been estimated to be between 20% to 40% in urban adults which is likely to expand to 200 million by 2025, with equal numbers among men and women. Job related psychosocial stress and sedentary life styles may directly and indirectly contribute to development of hypertension among the IT professionals. Aims & Objective: To find out the association of the risk factors among per chance detected hypertensive of IT professionals of an IT company. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was undertaken after getting informed verbal consent from 91 professionals of a IT company a predesigned self-employed questionnaire regarding demographic and lifestyle information were taken. Blood pressure was measured by using the standardized sphygmomanometer. All the participants were requested to take rest for ten minutes. Blood pressure was measured in the sitting posture with two separate readings were taken at an interval of minimum five minutes. The average of the two readings was taken and JNC VII classification was followed. Results: Among 91 IT professionals 14 were recorded to be detected per chance hypertensive. Of the known risk factors age (OR= 1.322; p=.001), Basal metabolic index (BMI) (OR=1.589; p=.000), smoking habit (OR=9.931; p= .004) were significantly associated with hypertension. Pack years of smoking and duration of alcohol consumption were also to be significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: As among the significant risk factors four are modifiable more emphasis to be given on life-style modification and periodically blood pressure check-up should be initiated to detect hypertension early.