Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effective preventive strategy for hypertension in a Japanese male population, based on attributable risk measures. METHODS: A 7-year follow-up study of hypertension among 6,306 middle-aged male office workers in a Japanese telecommunication company. RESULTS: In terms of population attributable risk percentage (PAR%), regular alcohol intake and physical inactivity showed great contributions to the development of hypertension in the population no less than obesity. The PAR% of each risk factor varied by age group, and the total PAR% of the three modifiable risk factors was considerably higher in the 30-39 year old group (71%) than in the older groups. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced alcohol intake and increased physical activity, as well as weight control, may have a larger impact on prevention of hypertension in younger groups than in older groups.