Hypertension and occupation among seniors.

Abstract

Little is known about statistical associations between occupation and hypertension for persons more than age 65. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2004 Health and Retirement Survey. We drew 12 gender-specific sub-samples (age 65+; age 70+; age 75+) who reported at least 1 year or 10 years tenure in the same occupation. For 65+ with at least 1 year tenure, n = 3645 men and n = 3644 women. Hypertension was self-reported based on physician diagnosis. Logistic regressions controlled for demographic variables and risk factors. After adjusting for control variables, including education, race, income, smoking, drinking, body mass, and number of comorbidities, the following occupations were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely than managers to report hypertension in at least two of the six sub-samples for women: professionals, salespeople, private household cleaning service workers, and personal service workers. Statistically significant occupations in at least two of the six sub-samples for men included: salespersons, personal service workers, mechanics, construction trades, precisions production workers, and operators. Current and especially pre-retirement occupations were risk factors for hypertension among seniors.