Primary Risk Factors of Hypertension in General Population of Dera Ismail Khan

Abstract

One major issue is hypertension, which is sometimes referred to as the silent killer. The number of people with hypertension is growing daily. The goal of this study is to evaluate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's main causes of hypertension. 310 hypertension patients who were hospitalized or visited Mufti Mahmood Memorial Teaching Hospital Dera Ismail Khan provided data for the research. The selected respondents were chosen using a straightforward random sampling technique. The findings demonstrate a notable correlation between hypertension and educational attainment. Individuals with higher education levels demonstrated greater awareness and knowledge regarding hypertension. In contrast, patients with little to no education exhibited a lack of concern for the condition and were less likely to seek medical consultation. Participants with hypertension concurred that consistent use of antihypertensive medications, accessible medication supply, regular physical activity, and routine blood pressure monitoring are effective in maintaining blood pressure within the normal range, whereas irregular medication adherence and a sedentary lifestyle exacerbate hypertension. Dietary habits, including the consumption of junk food and spicy foods, have been reported to affect blood pressure. Significant associations were identified with lifestyle modifications, including regular blood pressure check-ups, consistent exercise, weight reduction, abstaining from alcohol, cessation of smoking, stress avoidance, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conversely, hypertension exhibited a robust correlation with individuals characterized by obesity, sedentary lifestyles, advanced age, lower socio-economic status, renal disorders, endocrine diseases, high salt intake, insufficient potassium consumption, and familial predisposition. Alcohol use, tobacco use, a sedentary lifestyle, insufficient physical activity, and ignorance of the warning signs, symptoms, causes, and preventive strategies of hypertension can all contribute to the illness on both individual and psychological levels. Conversely, hypertension was substantially related with those who are obese, sedentary, elderly, of poor socio-economic level, suffering from renal illnesses, endocrine disorders, excessive salt consumption, inadequate potassium intake, and those with a familial predisposition. A study suggests that controlling hypertension requires focusing on precautions, nutrition, frequent blood pressure checks, illness knowledge, and stress reduction.