The relationship between hypertension and physical activity in middle-aged and older adults controlling for demographic, chronic disease, and mental health variables

To explore the relationship between hypertension and physical activity (PA) in the middle-aged and elderly after controlling demographic characteristics, chronic diseases and mental health variables. The 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) was used to collect the data. A baseline survey of middle-aged and older people was carried out nationally using the PPS sample method to look into their demographic, health state, and other information. The investigation included 4593 adults over 50 with complete data on PA level and hypertension prevalence. Z-test, logistic regression analysis, and linear hierarchical regression analysis were performed on the gathered data using the SPSS 27.0 program. The prevalence of hypertension among middle-aged and senior persons was 12.2%, and the percentage of those who did not have it was 87.8%. Males were more likely than females to have hypertension. Participants who reported high levels of PA made up 49.2% of the total, while those who reported low levels of PA made up 50.8% of the total. High levels of PA were significantly inversely correlated with hypertension (P < .05). There was still a statistically significant relationship between PA and hypertension (P < .05) after controlling demographic factors (gender, age, household registration type, education level, widowhood), chronic disease (arthritis, diabetes, disability, asthma, self-assessment of health, memory disease, stroke, hyperlipidemia) and mental health variables (bad mood and depression). High-level PA is significantly related to the low risk of hypertension. After controlling demographic characteristics, chronic diseases and mental health variables, this correlation is still significant.