title: Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in Estonian adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although Eastern Europe, including Estonia, has one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates associated with hypertension, there is little information in the literature concerning the biochemical risk factor profile or its association with hypertension in Estonia. This study examined the cross-sectional gender-stratified association between biochemical risk markers and hypertension in a population-based sample of adults in Estonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in Tallinn, Estonia and consisted of 511 men and 600 women with a mean age of 46 years. Physiological measurements were taken and blood samples drawn to measure the following markers: cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-1 and B, lipoprotein(a), triglycerides, glucose, fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and homocysteine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 36% of participants had hypertension, with approximately 80% being aware of their condition. A total of 40% of participants reported taking antihypertensive medication. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increases in age, body mass index, apolipoprotein B, triglyceride and homocysteine levels were associated with an increased probability of hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevations in biochemical markers and cardiovascular risk factors are associated with hypertension. Increasing body mass index, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B and homocysteine levels with decreasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level should be investigated and monitored in Estonian adults.
authors.affiliation: Tallinn University, Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tallinn, Estonia mkaldmae@tlu.ee.
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaldmäe
authors.affiliation: North Estonia Medical Centre, Centre of Cardiology, Tallinn, Estonia Tallinn University of Technology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Margus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viigimaa
authors.affiliation: North Estonia Medical Centre, Centre of Cardiology, Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zemtsovskaja
authors.affiliation: Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Tanel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaart
authors.affiliation: Tallinn University of Technology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abina
authors.affiliation: Tallinn University, Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Margus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Annuk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine
keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors; hypertension; prevention and control