METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we included 1,365 employees enrolled in the university's workplace health promotion program, a program conducted since 2008 and using data from the 2008-2013 follow-up period. Participants were permanent employees aged 35 years and above, with at least one follow up measurements and no change in antihypertensive medication during the study period. Baseline socio-demographic information was collected using a questionnaire while anthropometry measurements and resting blood pressure were collected during annual health screening. Changes in blood pressure over time were analyzed using a linear mixed model.
RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure in the hypertension subgroup decreased 2.36 mmHg per year (p<0.0001). There was also significant improvement in systolic blood pressure among the participants who were at risk of hypertension (-0.75 mmHg, p<0.001). The diastolic blood pressure among the hypertensive and at risk subgroups improved 1.76 mmHg/year (p<0.001) and 0.56 mmHg/year (p<0.001), respectively. However, there was no change in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among participants in the healthy subgroup over the 6-year period.
CONCLUSION: This study shows that continuing participation in workplace health promotion program has the potential to improve blood pressure levels among employees.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 396 subjects (198 NDHT, age and gender matched 198 normotensives; age, 30 to 50 years). Parameters of LVDF included Doppler-echocardiographic measurements of peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic velocities, E-wave deceleration time (DT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT). E/A ratio of <1 was taken as an indicative of DD.
RESULTS: Patients with NDHT had reduced E/A ratio (1.27 +/- 0.41 vs 1.37 +/- 0.35, P <0.001) and shortened DT (180.0 +/- 40.0 ms vs 190.0 +/- 30.0 ms, P = 0.025). The peak A velocity and IVRT were increased in the NDHT group [(62.73 +/- 13.82 ms vs 58.26 +/- 12.40 ms, P = 0.002) and (90.0 +/- 20.0 ms vs 80.0 +/- 10.0 ms, P <0.001), respectively]. Peak E velocity was similar in both groups. The prevalence of DD was increased in the NDHT group, 18.6% (32) vs 3.4% (6), P <0.001. Of the 32 NDHT subjects who had DD, 84.4% (27) had no left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and 15.7% (5) had LVH. Diastolic function was negatively correlated with age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and left ventricular mass index.
CONCLUSION: Impairment in LVDF occurs in NDHT which may precede structural abnormalities. Hypertension, obesity, older age and LVH are associated with worsening of diastolic function.