Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Purpose: The current study examined the effects of chronic stress and a genetic risk score on the presence of hypertension and elevated systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure among Hispanics/Latinos in the target population of Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Materials and Methods: Of the participants (N = 11,623) assessed during two clinic visits (Visit 1 2008–2013 & Visit 2 2014–2018), we analysed data from 7,429 adults (50.4% female), aged 18–74, who were genotyped and responded to chronic stress questionnaires. We calculated an unweighted genetic risk score using blood pressure increasing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found to be generalisable to Hispanics/Latinos (10 SNPs). Linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between chronic stress and genetic risk score and their interaction, with prevalent Visit 2 SBP or DBP, and hypertension, respectively. Models accounted for sampling weights, stratification, and cluster design. Results: Chronic stress (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95%CI:1.15,1.22) and hypertension genetic risk score (adjusted OR = 1.04, 95%CI:1.01,1.07) were significantly associated with prevalent hypertension, but there was no significant interaction between the chronic stress and genetic risk score on hypertension (p =.49). genetic risk score (b =.32, 95%CI:.08,.55, R 2 =.02) and chronic stress (b =.45, 95%CI:.19,.72, R 2 =.11) were related to DBP, with no significant interaction (p =.62). Genetic risk score (b =.42, 95%CI:.08,.76, R 2 =.01) and chronic stress (b =.80, 95%CI:.34,1.26, R 2 =.11) were also related to SBP, with no significant interaction (p =.51). Conclusion: Results demonstrate the utility of a genetic risk score for blood pressure and are consistent with literature suggesting chronic stress has a strong, direct association with elevated blood pressure among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Blood Pressure

First Page

155

Last Page

163

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