Age variation in blood pressure: Rural–urban and sex differences among the Hmar adults of Manipur, Northeast India

BACKGROUND: Increase in blood pressure (BP) is thought to be an unavoidable consequence of ageing but in secluded communities and in rural areas this is not the case. AIMS: The present study aims to examine blood pressure response with age across place of residence and sex; the prevalence of hypertension in relation to place of residence and sex; and to find out the relative importance of biological and behavioural factors as risk factors for hypertension among the Hmar adults (17 to 70 years of age) of Manipur, Northeast India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional sample was collected on 1207 Hmars adults residing in rural and urban settings in Manipur, Northeast India. Demographic data, blood pressure, height, weight and behavioural factors were collected. RESULTS: Blood pressure significantly increases with an increasing age and this trend is more pronounced in urban settings compared to rural settings. The overall prevalence of hypertension in the present study is about 21 per cent. Urban Hmar males, rural and urban Hmar females who are ≥ 45 years of age show significantly higher risk of developing hypertension compared to their counterparts who are < 45 years of age, but the same is not observed in Hmar males from rural areas. Males show significantly higher odds of developing hypertension compared to females in both the settings. Obesity is the strongest predictor of hypertension in both the place of residence and sexes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that population blood pressure does not show a marked increase with increasing age in traditional/rural areas which is clearly perceptible in Hmar men. It also strengthen the case that urban residence, men, increasing age and overweight and/or obese significantly increases the odds of developing hypertension.