Leejee Choi1, Kyuwoong Kim2, Seulggie Choi2, Sung Min Kim2, Sang Min Park3, Joung Sik Son3

1Department of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Health Science, Seoul, Korea 2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea 3Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea


Background: This study was designed to investigate the influence of family history of hypertension (FH) on hypertension prevalence, management, and healthy behaviors among Korean adults.
Methods: By using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014-2016, a cross-sectional study was performed. The study population included 8,280 individuals who underwent health examination and food frequency questionnaire were divided into two groups based on FH. Participants with one or more first-degree FH classified as having a FH. Health behaviors analyzed were low sodium intake, weight management, no smoking, non-risky drinking, and sufficient physical activity. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to compare outcome variables (hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and healthy behaviors).
Results: Of a total of 8,280 subjects, 3,626 (43.8%) participants had FH. Presence of a FH significantly associated with the risk of hypertension prevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01-3.04), awareness (aOR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.30-2.99), treatment (aOR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.71-3.98), and control (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.19-2.64). In contrast, FH was not significantly associated with healthy behaviors. In the subgroup analyses, the normotensives with FH were even slightly less likely to get health check-ups than those without FH (aOR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.99).
Conclusions: Although those with FH showed higher prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates, health behaviors of those with FH were not higher than those without FH. More attention should be directed to promote the healthy behaviors for management and prevention of hypertension, especially among those with FH. Korean J Health Promot 2019;19(1):1-8

Keywords: Hypertension, Family history, Health behaviors