THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS LEVELS AND THE INCIDENCE OF HYPERTENSION IN THE ELDERLY IN EAST SEMPER VILLAGE, NORTH JAKARTA

Abstract

Introduction: As the elderly age, they are considered vulnerable to various diseases, which can make them more prone to stress. Stress in the elderly triggers the onset of hypertension through the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Hypertension is one of the leading noncommunicable diseases and a major cause of death worldwide. Objective: To determine the relationship between stress and the incidence of hypertension in the elderly in East Semper Village, North Jakarta. Method: This quantitative research uses a cross-sectional approach. The study population consisted of 315 individuals, with a sample size of 68 respondents selected using purposive sampling. Results: Data analysis using the chi-square test showed that 39.7% of the elderly experienced moderate stress, and 54.4% had mild hypertension. There was a significant relationship between stress and the incidence of hypertension in the elderly in East Semper Village, North Jakarta, with a p-value of 0.041 (p < 0.05). Elderly individuals with moderate stress levels were 1.975 times more likely to experience severe hypertension compared to those with mild stress levels. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between stress and the incidence of hypertension in the elderly. These findings highlight the need for community-based stress management approaches to control hypertension in the elderly. Limitations: This study has limitations in terms of sample size and the lack of analysis of other factors that may influence the relationship between stress and hypertension.