Factors Associated with Pre-Hypertension Among Tehranian Adults: A Novel Application of Structural Equation Models

Pre-hypertension is proposed as an independent risk factor for the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
This study aimed to explore the main factors associated with pre-hypertension via testing a hypothesized model in Tehranian adults.
The study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) between 2009 - 2011 on 4640 adults without hypertension, aged ≥ 20 years.
The mean age of participants was 38.61 ± 12.14 years and 56.6% of them were female. More than one third of the studied participants had pre-hypertension (35.4%) with significantly higher prevalence in males compared to females (46.5% vs. 26.9%; χ2 = 190.7, P Level of TG and WC in both genders are direct modifiable associated factors of pre-hypertension. These findings could be considered in designing future health promotion programs aimed at preventing high blood pressure and its consequences among Tehranian adults.