title: Effects of psychological stress on hypertension in middle-aged Chinese: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: We examined the effect and relative contributions of different types of stress on the risk of hypertension. Using cluster sampling, 5,976 community-dwelling individuals aged 40-60 were selected. Hypertension was defined according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee, and general psychological stress was defined as experiencing stress at work or home. Information on known risk factors of hypertension (e.g., physical activity levels, food intake, smoking behavior) was collected from participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between psychological stress and hypertension, calculating population-attributable risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). General stress was significantly related to hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.247, 95% CI [1.076, 1.446]). Additionally, after adjustment for all other risk factors, women showed a greater risk of hypertension if they had either stress at work or at home: OR = 1.285, 95% CI (1.027, 1.609) and OR = 1.231, 95% CI (1.001, 1.514), respectively. However, this increased risk for hypertension by stress was not found in men. General stress contributed approximately 9.1% (95% CI [3.1, 15.0]) to the risk for hypertension. Thus, psychological stress was associated with an increased risk for hypertension, although this increased risk was not consistent across gender.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and the Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety for Coal Industry, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kailuan General Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and the Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety for Coal Industry, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
authors.forename: Sufeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and the Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety for Coal Industry, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
authors.forename: Hongmin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and the Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety for Coal Industry, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
authors.forename: Fumin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and the Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety for Coal Industry, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
authors.forename: Juxiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*