Hypertension Control in North Cyprus and the Feasibility of Life Style Changes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypertension (HT) is a significant preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.It is defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or both, often linked to obesity.Around 75% of HT cases are directly related to obesity.Effective blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients relies on medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments.However, no prior study in Northern Cyprus has examined HT control and recommended lifestyle changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study, conducted between May and August 2022, involved 185 hypertensive patients in Northern Cyprus.Data collection included height and weight measurements, along with a 14-question questionnaire to assess BP values and lifestyle habits.Statistical analysis was performed using IBM ® SPSS Statistics Version 18.0.RESULTS: Results revealed that only 42.7% of participants had controlled BP and that a significant 83.8% were overweight or obese.Most patients did not adhere to recommended daily salt intake, engage in regular physical activity, or maintain a healthy diet.Specifically, 76.8% consumed more than the recommended 5-6 grams of salt daily, and 55.1% favored animal-based foods over fruits and vegetables.In terms of physical activity, 88.1% did not engage in activities like swimming, biking, running, or brisk walking for the recommended 30-45 minutes daily.Furthermore, 28.1% of hypertensive patients smoked.Alcohol consumption was low, with 43.2% reporting never consuming it.CONCLUSION: The majority of hypertensive patients were overweight or obese, lacked BP control, and did not adhere to recommended lifestyle changes.Notably, maintaining daily salt consumption <6 grams was statistically associated with effective BP control in Turkish Cypriots.This underscores the importance of lifestyle modifications in HT management.