Level of physical activity of hypertensive elderly citizens and its association with sociodemographic data and health conditions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Understanding sociodemographic and health characteristics, and their associations with physical activity in the hypertensive elderly population, is relevant for the development of health policies aimed at preventing and reducing the problems caused by the disease. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the level of physical activity of hypertensive elderly and its association with sociodemographic data and health conditions. METHODOLOGY: a cross-sectional study was carried out with 200 hypertensive elderly of both sexes. Data were collected in two Basic Health Units during the HiperDia groups. Sociodemographic and health information were evaluated using an instrument developed by the authors. The level of physical activity, through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ – short version). Body Mass Index (BMI) and vital data (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate) were measured while the elderly were seated at rest. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, adopting a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: in relation to the level of physical activity, 35.5% of the elderly were classified as irregularly active. Elderly people with a lower age group (p=0.0007), higher income (p=0.0120), and married people (p=0.0285) had a higher level of physical activity. There was a statistically significant association between activity level and health perception (p=0.0274). CONCLUSION: a higher level of physical activity was observed in elderly people with a lower age group, higher income, and married people and there was an association between the level of physical activity and the perception of health.