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  • Special Issue: Current evidence and perspectives for hypertension management in Asia
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Temporal trends in adherence to lifestyle recommendations of patients with hypertension in Korea, 2007–2021

Hypertension Research volume 48, pages 157–167 (2025)Cite this article

Abstract

Adherence to lifestyle recommendations is crucial in managing hypertension, independent of medical treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of adherence to lifestyle recommendations and analyze the trends in adherence to lifestyle recommendations among patients with hypertension in Korea from 2007 to 2021 using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The study included adults aged ≥20 years. Factors such as regular physical activity, smoking and alcohol abstinence, weight and stress management, and adherence to a healthy diet were analyzed. In 2021, A doublefold increase was observed in the proportion of patients with hypertension who adhered to sodium restriction compared to 2007. However, 70% of patients with hypertension consume more sodium than recommended. Moreover, potassium intake has steadily decreased since 2014, with only 23.8% of patients with hypertension meeting the recommended intake. The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference of patients with hypertension have gradually increased, with fewer patients maintaining an appropriate weight. The neglect of diet and weight control among young patients with hypertension who experience high stress levels poses challenges in modifying their lifestyles. Patients with hypertension in Korea still consume high amounts of sodium, whereas potassium intake is gradually decreasing. Additionally, obesity rates have been increasing, especially among young patients with hypertension. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for improving the lifestyle habits of hypertensive patients.

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Funding

This research was supported by the 2021 Chung-Ang University research grant. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official view of any funding agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital and Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Gwangmyeong, Korea

    Jun Hwan Cho, Sang Yeub Lee, Young-Hoon Jeong & Sang-Wook Kim

  2. Cardiovascular-Arrhythmia Center, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

    Gyu Tae Park, Kyung-Taek Park, Hyue Mee Kim, Wang-Soo Lee & Hoyoun Won

Authors
  1. Jun Hwan Cho
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  2. Gyu Tae Park
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  3. Kyung-Taek Park
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Correspondence to Hoyoun Won.

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Cho, J.H., Park, G.T., Park, KT. et al. Temporal trends in adherence to lifestyle recommendations of patients with hypertension in Korea, 2007–2021. Hypertens Res 48, 157–167 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-024-01838-w

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