The Relationship Between Age and the Severity of Hypertension at the Imbanagara Community Health Center, Ciamis, in 2022

Background: Hypertension is a non-communicable disease that continues to increase in prevalence both in Indonesia and worldwide. It is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg. The causes of hypertension include non-modifiable factors such as genetics, age, and sex, as well as modifiable factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, excessive salt intake, and stress. Age is a non-modifiable risk factor associated with the aging process, which results in decreased vascular elasticity and increased blood pressure. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between age and the severity of hypertension among patients at Imbanagara Community Health Center, Ciamis, West Java, in 2022. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 patients with hypertension. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering age, sex, educational background, occupation, source of health information, adherence to antihypertensive medication, and blood pressure measurements. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses, and the Chi-square test was applied to determine the association between age and hypertension severity. Results: Most patients with hypertension were female, had completed elementary school, and were housewives. The primary source of information was health care professionals. The majority of respondents had grade II hypertension (50 patients; 55.5%) and were between 40 and 55 years of age. The Chi-square test showed a p-value of less than 0.05, indicating a statistically significant relationship between age and the severity of hypertension. Conclusion: There is a significant association between age and the severity of hypertension among patients at Imbanagara Community Health Center in 2022. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and age-specific management strategies to prevent the progression of hypertension severity.