Hypertension and obesity in cardiology outpatients: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide. Both hypertension and obesity are frequent in Turkey and are seen in around 30% of the population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and to investigate its relationship with obesity in patients admitted to a cardiology outpatient clinic. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between the 15th of January and the 28th of February 2018 at the Medical Park İzmir Hospital Cardiology Polyclinics. Data were collected from 55 out of 256 people who were referred to the clinic on the specified dates. Data were collected about systolic and diastolic blood pressures, height, weight, gender, age category, educational status, marital status, and history of hypertension. Results: Of the participants, 35 (63.6%) were men, and 20 (36.4%) were women. The mean age and body mass index values were 44.60±11.03and 28.18±3.89kg/m2, respectively. In total, 85.4% were overweight or obese. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 140.09±7.99 mmHg and 90.69±7.07 mmHg, respectively. 31 (56.4%) patients had systolic, 34 (61.8%) had diastolic, and 37 (67.3%) had systolic or diastolic hypertension. Of those with hypertension, 26 (70.2%) were not aware of their condition. In the regression analysis, gender was the only independent factor predicting high blood pressure (p=0.005; odds ratio=6.4). Conclusion: Hypertension and obesity were common among patients in the cardiology outpatient clinics. Family physicians are expected to be competent in managing common health problems and are focused on preventive health practices, and thus, they should take a more active role in the struggle against hypertension and obesity.