Women at the Edge of Hypertension: Early Cardiometabolic Risk in Manipur, Northeast India

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Elevated blood pressure, including pre-hypertension, is increasingly prevalent among women in India, yet state-level evidence from Manipur, Northeast India is limited. This study examined the prevalence and biosocial determinants of pre-hypertension and hypertension among women aged 15–49 years (n=6831) in Manipur using data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021). Blood pressure was classified using JNC-7 guidelines, and survey-weighted logistic regression models assessed socio-demographic, behavioural, and biological correlates. Hypertension prevalence increased with age and varied significantly across districts. In adjusted models, older age, primary education, overweight/obesity, elevated waist circumference, and diabetes were independently associated with both pre-hypertension and hypertension, while underweight status was protective. Social category was associated with hypertension but not pre-hypertension. The high burden of pre-hypertension alongside widespread central adiposity underscores early cardiometabolic risk among women. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive, regionally grounded strategies for early detection and prevention of hypertension in Northeast India. KEYWORDS: Women’s Health. Cardiometabolic Risk. Prehypertension. Hypertension. Obesity. Central Obesity. Diabetes. Manipur.