Health Risk Factors and the Incidence of Hypertension in Thailand

Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. It has emerged as a serious health problem in Thailand with its recent economic development. In a 4-year study evaluating the impact of health risk factors on the incidence of hypertension in Thailand, co-author Professor Christopher Reid,  from the Monash Centre of Cardiovascular Research & Education (CCRE) in Therapeutics,  concluded that hypertension is strongly associated with age, obesity and comorbidities but not with socioeconomic factors. The results indicate that diet and lifestyle factors are suitable targets for hypertension control programmes.

The article is published on BMJ Open (vol. 3, issue 6, e002826).