A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that lower-income status was associated with an increased risk for hypertension compared to other middle-aged adults with higher incomes.
Those with higher incomes were found to be at increased risk for diabetes and obesity 1.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Income
The study, conducted by researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, evaluated trends in the prevalence, treatment, and control of cardiovascular risk factors among low-income and higher-income middle-aged adults.
The researchers studied NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data for 20,761 adults aged 40 to 64 years from 1999 to March 2020.
The data showed that low-income adults had an increase in hypertension over the study period, with 44.7% of low-income adults diagnosed with hypertension by 2020. There were no changes in rates of diabetes or obesity in low-income adults.
In contrast, higher-income adults did not have a change in hypertension but had increases in diabetes in obesity that, with 44% of higher-income adults having been diagnosed with obesity by 2020.
Income-based disparities in hypertension, diabetes, and cigarette use persisted in more recent years even after adjustment for insurance coverage, health care access, and food insecurity.
Implications of the Findings
The findings highlight the need to address income-based disparities in cardiovascular health. It is important to understand how social determinants contribute to recent associations between income and cardiovascular health.
By doing so, we can better protect low-income adults from the long-term effects of cardiovascular risk factors and help higher-income adults to cope with the risks associated with diabetes and obesity.
Protecting Cardiovascular Health
It is important to protect cardiovascular health, as declines in cardiovascular mortality have stagnated over the past decade in the United States, driven in part by an increase in deaths among middle-aged adults.
Parents, caregivers, and educators can help by creating safe and nurturing environments for children. They can also provide support and resources to help adults cope with stress and adversity.
In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of income on cardiovascular health in middle-aged adults.
By doing so, we can better protect adults from the long-term effects of cardiovascular risk factors and help them to cope with the risks associated with diabetes and obesity.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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