DISCUSSION
After adjusting for the effects of all other variables using multivariate logistic regression, the significant risk factors for hypertension were age, education, occupation,BMI, high cholesterol and stress.Elderly people were more likely to develop hypertension than younger people. These findings are consistent with those of Pauvilai and Laorakpongse (2000), Jo et al (2001) and Howteerakul et al (2006). As age increases, so does the risk for high blood pressure. The reasons for increased age being associated with increased blood pressure include hardening
of the arteries, decreased kidney function,greater body sensitivity to salt and other factors and hormonal changes, such as menopause. Elderly people are less likely to be physically active which is also a risk factor for hypertension.People with low education levels were more likely to develop hypertension than those with a higher education level.This finding is consistent with Jo et al(2001), Quasem et al (2001) and Onal et al(2004). Individuals with a lower education
level are less likely to be knowledgeable about their health and disease.Famers and unemployed people were more likely to develop hypertension than employed people. This finding agrees with the findings of Jo et al (2001) and Howteerakul et al (2006). This may be due to the occupations of the subjects and their influence on daily physical activity. Farmers
believe working in the rice field is adequate exercise, or they are too exhausted
to exercise. Most unemployed people have low education levels leading to lack of
awareness regarding health and hypertension. A majority are also elderly and prone
to degenerative diseases.People with a high cholesterol and a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 were more likely to develop hypertension than those with a normal cholesterol and a BMI < 30 kg/m2.
These findings are consistant with the findings of Mitzumoto (2004) and He et al
(1994). Obesity, hypertension, high triglyceride levels and low high density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol levels and premature coronary heart disease (CHD) have
metabolic syndrome, a theoretical cause of hypertension. People with mild to high stress levels
were more likely to develop hypertension than those with normal stress, consistent with the findings of Perez et al (2001).Regular stress can cause hypertension through repeated elevations in blood pressure,as well as by stimulating the nervoussystem to produce vasoconstrictive hormones that increase blood pressure. Hypertension is a chronic disease, patients must continually take medicines, follow up and modify their behavior.
Misclassification of cases and controls was prevented by keeping a gap in blood pressure between the two groups: BP ≥140/90 mmHg for subjects and BP