PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION AT KERUAK PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTER

Abstract

Hypertension remains a major cardiovascular risk, and regular physical activity is widely recommended as part of non-pharmacological management. This study examined the association between physical activity level and blood pressure category among adults with hypertension at Keruak Primary Health Care Center, Indonesia. An analytical cross-sectional design was used with 97 respondents. Physical activity was classified as low, moderate, or high, while blood pressure was grouped into grades I, II, and III. Descriptive statistics summarized respondent characteristics, physical activity, and blood pressure. Spearman rank correlation tested the association between both ordinal variables. Most respondents were women (87.6%), aged 18-59 years (63.9%), educated to primary-school level (52.6%), and employed as laborers (38.1%). Low physical activity predominated (58.8%), followed by moderate (32.0%) and high activity (9.3%). Most respondents had grade I hypertension (83.5%); grades II and III each accounted for 8.2%. Physical activity and blood pressure were not significantly correlated (r=0.028; p=0.789; n=97). The correlation was positive but negligible. In this sample, physical activity level alone did not explain variation in blood pressure category. Hypertension care should therefore retain physical-activity counseling while simultaneously assessing medication adherence, dietary sodium, body composition, stress, sleep, comorbidities, and measurement quality. Longitudinal studies using objective activity measures and repeated blood-pressure assessment are recommended.