Sex Differences And Relationship Between Blood Pressure And Age Among The Ibos Of Nigeria

Abstract

Studies have established relationship between age and blood pressure (BP). The present study was carried out to establish normal BP values for the various age categories of both sexes and also to examine sex differences in BP within the various age groups of the Ibos. A random sampling of 563 Ibos of Nigeria aged 20 to 89 years, mean age 33.61 ± 13.61 were used for this study. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured following standard protocol. The mean SBP and DBP of the study population was 119.63 ± 23.24 and 79.78 ± 12.80 respectively. When divided into seven age groups the analyses showed that both SBP and DBP increased with age. The lowest SBP was recorded in age 20 – 29 years in both sexes. The same was applicable for DBP. Generally men exhibited relatively high level of BP values, except for age groups 50 – 59 years and 60 – 69 years (SBP) where the mean BPs was slightly higher in the females. A significant difference was noted between DBP of males and females (p < 0.05) but none in the SBP. There was significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) of both SBP and DBP with age (r = 0.477 and 0.331 respectively). Our result is consistent with the findings that BP increases with age, with significant difference between males and females.