High-income men have a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension, according to a study conducted by researchers at Hokkaido University in Japan. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading cause of premature death globally, affecting around 30 to 45 percent of adults and over 60 percent of those over 60 years old, or over one billion people. The study found that men in the highest income group had almost double the risk of developing hypertension compared to men in the lowest income category, regardless of age, initial blood pressure, workplace, occupation, number of family members, and smoking. The link was slightly weakened after taking into account alcohol consumption and body mass index (BMI), which were higher in men in higher income groups.
The researchers analyzed health and income data from 3,153 men and 1,161 women with normal day shifts and normal blood pressure from twelve companies in Japan. The participants were divided into four groups based on their annual household income, namely under 5 million, 5 to 7.9 million, 8 to 9.9 million, and 10 million or more yen per year. The study found no significant link between income and blood pressure in women, although women with higher household incomes tended to have a lower risk of developing hypertension. The study supports previous Japanese surveys that have linked higher household income in men, but not in women, with unhealthy lifestyles.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Shingo Yanagiya, said that hypertension is a disease related to lifestyle, and as a doctor who cares for these patients, he wanted to know if the risk varies by social class to better align prevention measures. He added that men with well-paid day jobs are particularly vulnerable to hypertension, and that men of all ages can significantly reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke by improving their health behaviors. The study highlights the importance of addressing social determinants of health, such as income, in preventing and managing hypertension.
