Abstract
Background: Hypertension, a non-communicable cardiovascular disease has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Obesity, genetic factors, sedentary life style and family history are the most common risk factors of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders.
Objective: The aim of our study was to report the prevalence of hypertension and its relation to BMI and to examine the association between hypertension, morbid obesity and other chronic diseases among Saudi Nationals in Arar, KSA.
Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out on Saudi Nationals in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. during the period from 1 May to 30 November 2018. Participants aged between 12 to 93 years. Systematic random sampling technique was followed. A pre-designed online questionnaire was distributed online. We utilized the, SPSS program, version 16. For risk factors, chi-square test was used, P value will be considered significant if less than 0.05. Results: We found that 9.6% of our cases had hypertension, the majority of hypertensive cases were obese 72.4%. hypertension was more in females (83.2 Vs 16.8), diabetics (97.9% Vs 2.1%). There was a significant relationship between hypertension and sex, age, morbid obesity, DM and BMI (P value < 0.05). Also, we reported among hypertensive patients 44.8% had morbid obesity with significant correlation between hypertension and BMI (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Hypertension was more prevalent among females, diabetics and morbid obese individuals. There was a significant relationship between hypertension and sex, age, morbid obesity, DM and BMI.