Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Intro: For older community members experiencing homelessness, both their housing status and age are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Lack of consistent protection from outdoor temperatures are hypothesized to affect variation in blood pressure seasonally. In this study, we sought to compare older (55+) and younger (under 55) individuals in this cohort and identify within-group associations between blood pressure (BP) and mean daily temperature (MDT) as affected by season.
Methods: 301 patients from two student-run free clinics met BP inclusion criteria. MDT was sourced from the Global Historical Climatology Network daily dataset. Interquartile range method for outlier detection limited visits per patient within group. Wilcoxon test compared mean BP between groups. Spearman’s Rank Correlation test determined within group significance.
Results: Among 689 analyzed visits, 379 were 55+ (mean age: 61.6, 76% male) and 310 were under 55 (mean age: 43.0, 71% male). Older compared to younger individuals had statistically elevated mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (143.6mmHg and 134.5mmHg, respectively; p=1.443e-08) and elevated mean diastolic pressure (DBP) (87.3mmHg and 83.3mmHg, respectively; p=4.874e-05). Decreased MDT was associated with increased SBP (p=0.017) and DBP (p=0.029) for those 55+. For younger patients, only SBP (p=0.041) was associated with MDT, but not DBP (p=0.201).
Conclusion: Older free clinic patients had higher BP on average than younger patients. Likewise, decreased MDT and increased SBP and DBP were associated for those 55+. These data suggest that consideration of seasonal context may be particularly important in older individuals for community interventions regarding hypertension management for this vulnerable cohort.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Kean Feyzeau
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Emergency Medicine
College Affiliation
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Cardiovascular Diseases | Community Health | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Environmental Public Health
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Included in
Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Community Health Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons
74 - Age and Seasonal Blood Pressure Variation in People Experiencing Homelessness in Hampton Roads
Intro: For older community members experiencing homelessness, both their housing status and age are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Lack of consistent protection from outdoor temperatures are hypothesized to affect variation in blood pressure seasonally. In this study, we sought to compare older (55+) and younger (under 55) individuals in this cohort and identify within-group associations between blood pressure (BP) and mean daily temperature (MDT) as affected by season.
Methods: 301 patients from two student-run free clinics met BP inclusion criteria. MDT was sourced from the Global Historical Climatology Network daily dataset. Interquartile range method for outlier detection limited visits per patient within group. Wilcoxon test compared mean BP between groups. Spearman’s Rank Correlation test determined within group significance.
Results: Among 689 analyzed visits, 379 were 55+ (mean age: 61.6, 76% male) and 310 were under 55 (mean age: 43.0, 71% male). Older compared to younger individuals had statistically elevated mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (143.6mmHg and 134.5mmHg, respectively; p=1.443e-08) and elevated mean diastolic pressure (DBP) (87.3mmHg and 83.3mmHg, respectively; p=4.874e-05). Decreased MDT was associated with increased SBP (p=0.017) and DBP (p=0.029) for those 55+. For younger patients, only SBP (p=0.041) was associated with MDT, but not DBP (p=0.201).
Conclusion: Older free clinic patients had higher BP on average than younger patients. Likewise, decreased MDT and increased SBP and DBP were associated for those 55+. These data suggest that consideration of seasonal context may be particularly important in older individuals for community interventions regarding hypertension management for this vulnerable cohort.