Distribution of body mass index and its relationship with arterial hypertension according to sex and age groups in patients selected in cardiology clinics Walter José Guidi, Leandro Santos, William da Costa, José Eduardo Gregório Rodrigues, Ana Karla Gaburri, Vanessa Maria Caetano Soares, Hermes Toros Xavier

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially worldwide, which leads to considerable increases in the metabolic risk profile and frequency of risk factors (RF) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Body mass index (BMI) is the method used to estimate the total amount of body fat and its distribution. It is the most widely used method due to its easy implementation and cost-effectiveness in epidemiological studies, showing a high correlation with clinical evolution and morbidity and mortality. In this study, the distribution of BMI and its association with the diagnosis of arterial hypertension, according to sex and age, was investigated in a sample of 2475 patients selected in cardiology clinical offices. The results show that men aged less than 40 years, with a BMI less than 25, had a low prevalence of hypertension (12.5%). On the other hand, it detected a large increase in the prevalence of arterial hypertension in patients with a BMI  greater then 30 and over 60 years of age in both men and women. These data highlight the need to control obesity in younger age groups, seeking to reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure and its impact on CVD at later ages.