Low systolic blood pressure and self perceived wellbeing in middle aged men.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relation between systolic blood pressure and self perceived wellbeing in 50 year old men.

DESIGN

Cross sectional population study of data derived from questionnaires and physical examination as a part of a cardiovascular risk factor survey.

SETTING

City of Gothenburg, Sweden.

STUDY POPULATION

776 men from a random population sample of 1016 men aged 50.

METHODS

Self perceived wellbeing according to the Gothenburg quality of life questionnaire, which is an assessment of social, physical, and mental wellbeing in 15 different areas.

MAIN RESULTS

Low systolic blood pressure was significantly (p < 0.05) related to impaired social wellbeing in four areas: work, home and family, financial situation, and housing. Of the items dealing with physical wellbeing, health, memory, and appetite were significantly related to blood pressure. As regards mental wellbeing, energy and self confidence were significantly related to systolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly related to housing, memory, energy, patience, and self confidence. In multiple regression analyses that controlled for smoking, stress, physical activity, social activity, and emotional support, poor social, physical, and mental wellbeing were all significantly related to low systolic blood pressure independently of other factors. Low diastolic blood pressure was independently associated with poor physical and mental, but not social, wellbeing.

CONCLUSION

Low systolic blood pressure was associated with poor perception of wellbeing in several areas. The cause is unclear.