Gender and Sex-Based Differences in Hypertension Risk Factors Among Non-Hispanic Asian Adults in the United States

IntroductionThe prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is rising at an accelerated rate, and it remains the primary factor contributing to cardiovascular illnesses. Sex can serve as an influencing factor, leading to variations in the factors affecting HTN.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate gender and sex differences in the prevalence of HTN and explore the associations between HTN and 4 categories of risk factors: demographics, habits or lifestyle, body measurement, and laboratory blood results among non-Hispanic Asians in the United States.MethodsThis secondary analysis included non-Hispanic Asian adults aged 18 years or older from the 2017 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.ResultsAmong the 815 participants, 35% of men (140 of 399) and 37% (154 of 416) of women had HTN (P = .610). The mean age for men is 46.03 +/- 16.9 years, whereas the mean age for women is 49.24 +/- 16.8 years. After regression analysis, advancing age, increased body mass index, and increased serum uric acid were significant predictors of HTN in both sexes. However, men developed HTN earlier compared with women. Marital status and increased fasting glucose were only significant in men. Compared with their never-married counterparts, men who were currently married or living with a partner had lower odds of having HTN (odds ratio, 0.28; P = .034).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in the prevalence of HTN between the sexes. Age, body mass index, and serum uric acid were significant risk factors in both men and women. Meanwhile, marital status and fasting glucose were only significant in men.