Mobility speed predicts new-onset hypertension: a longitudinal study

The aim of this study was to investigate whether declining mobility and muscle strength predict new-onset hypertension in suburban-dwelling elderly individuals. METHODS: This study was designed as a longitudinal prospective cohort study. It was comprised of 362 individuals (mean age = 67.8 ± 6.2; 157 men) without hypertension at baseline. At baseline, all participants completed health questionnaires and underwent measurements of mobility [the Timed Up and Go test (TUGT) and 4-m walking test] and muscle strength (grip strength). At 1-year follow-up, we determined the number of participants who had developed new-onset hypertension. We then evaluated the relationship between above metrics and the development of hypertension. RESULTS: In the present study, 94 (26.0%) participants developed hypertension after 1 year. After adjusting for mixed factors, the TUGT scores [hazard ratio = 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–1.31; P = 0.030] were positively associated with the development of hypertension, while the 4-m walking test scores (hazard ratio = 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01–0.47; P = 0.007) showed an inverse relationship with hypertension incidence. Grip strength (hazard ratio = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99–1.06; P = 0.098) was not significantly associated with hypertension incidence. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that people with declining mobility are significantly more likely to develop hypertension. Hence, improving mobility could be protective against hypertension for elderly individuals.