https://doi.org/10.4081/cardio.2024.27

Neck-to-height ratio in Bosnian university students according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines on hypertension classification

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024)
Published: March 28, 2024
Neck-to-height ratio, anthropometry, blood pressure, hypertension, young adults, metabolic syndrome, prevention
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Authors

Asija Začiragić
asija.zaciragic@mf.unsa.ba
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Marija Mikić
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Dr. Fra Mato Nikolic Hospital, Nova Bila, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Amela Dervišević
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Orhan Lepara
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nesina Avdagić
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nermina Babić
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Almir Fajkić
Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Amina Valjevac
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess neck-to-height ratio (NtHR) and its possible association with other anthropometric measures of obesity and blood pressure (BP) values in Bosnian university students stratified by new 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force hypertension (HT) guidelines.
Methods: The present study included 417 subjects with median age 20 (19-21) years that were divided into normal BP, elevated BP, stage 1 HT, and stage 2 HT groups based on BP measurements using auscultatory methods. Standard anthropometric indices including neck circumference (NC) were measured. NtHR (cm/m) was calculated in each participant based on the NC and height. Differences between groups were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis followed by Man-Whitney test and correlations were determined by Spearman test.
Results: The prevalence of elevated BP was 19.2%, stage 1 HT 21.6%, and stage 2 HT 11.0 %. NtHR was highest in the stage 2 HT group. NtHR correlated significantly with all anthropometric measures in all groups. No correlation between NtHR, systolic BP, and diastolic BP was found, except in the stage 1 HT group, where a significant correlation between NtHR and systolic BP was uncovered.
Conclusions: Based on the observed correlations between NtHR and standard measures of obesity, NtHR could be included in clinical practice, since it is simple and does not induce discomfort. The high prevalence of elevated BP found in the present study suggests HT prevention requires the implementation of programs aimed at promoting healthy dietary habits, physical activity, as well as effective stress management and coping mechanisms.

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How to Cite

Začiragić, A., Mikić, M., Dervišević, A., Lepara, O., Avdagić, N., Babić, N., Fajkić, A., & Valjevac, A. (2024). Neck-to-height ratio in Bosnian university students according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines on hypertension classification. Global Cardiology, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/cardio.2024.27
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