Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Prehypertension by Gender and Age in a Korean Population in the KNHANES 2010–2012

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension frequently progresses into hypertension and is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We studied the prevalence of prehypertension and their determinants by gender and age. METHODS: The study used nationally representative data from 11,754 participants aged 20–91 years collected between 2010–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). RESULTS: Prehypertension was more prevalent in men than women (aOR = 2.48, CI = 2.11–2.92). Aging was positively associated with prehypertension (40–59 vs. 20–39, aOR = 1.79, CI = 1.55–2.05; 60+ vs. 20–39, aOR = 2.89, CI = 2.35–3.56). In women aged ≥60, prehypertension was associated with WC (aOR = 1.04, CI = 1.00–1.07), whereas in both men and women aged 20–39, it was associated with BMI (men, aOR = 1.14, CI = 1.04–1.24; women, aOR = 1.08, CI = 1.01–1.16). In subjects aged 40–59, age (men, aOR = 1.03, CI = 1.01–1.06; women, aOR = 1.05, CI = 1.02–1.07) was the significant factor increasing the risk of prehypertension, whereas smoking (men, aOR = 0.55, CI = 0.38–0.80; women, aOR = 0.43, CI = 0.24–0.76) showed an inverse association with prehypertension. Alcohol intake showed a positive association with prehypertension in only men aged 40–59. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that different gender/age groups may have different patterns of risk factors associated with prehypertension. Thus, healthcare providers should consider both gender and age when designing community-based interventions for controlling BP and reducing prehypertension.