Stressing 'mental stress' in hypertension: a rural background study.

BACKGROUND Modern life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations and demands. Mental stress or psychosocial stress is one of the major risk factor for hypertension which itself is the risk factor for various other cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES To find out the prevalence of hypertension among rural study population above 40 years of age and analyze the relationship between mental stress and Hypertension amongst them. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken in rural Maharashtra from January 2007 till December 2008. Systematic random sampling was done to cover 3600 sample size above 40 years of age. A protocol was devised containing requisite items of socio-demographic data and data was collected from individual households with the help of ancillary staff. Mental stress score based on Presumptive stressful life event score (PSLES) was used. For statistical analysis, Chi-square test, F-test and Z-test were used. RESULTS Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 5.92%. Males had maximum cases of hypertension [169 (7.27%)] compared to females [44 (3.44%)] which was statistically significant (χ2 = 21.63, p < 0.001). The rise in number of cases with increasing age was observed. Significant number of cases [127 (7.68%, p= 0.00006)] were found in study population belonging to 'More stress' group. Mean mental stress score of hypertensive study subjects was significantly higher (219) than normotensive study subjects (157). Males had significant higher stress score in both hypertensive and Normotensive group. CONCLUSION Total 213 cases of hypertension were detected (5.92%). As the stress increases, risk of hypertension increases. Statistically significant association was found between mental stress and hypertension for males. But in females, no such association was found. Mental stress definitely acts as risk factor for hypertension. Invention, propagation and practical application of various stress relieving measures & exercises should be done.