Cardiovascular risk factor and familial aggregation of blood pressure with respect to anthropometric variables in a scheduled caste population in Punjab, a North Indian state.

Based on anthropometric data, this study aims to detect cardiovascular risk factor and familial aggregation of blood pressure in a specific community in India. A total of 1096 adult individuals, constituting 350 families in a scheduled caste community in Punjab, India, was surveyed for blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse pressure and fifteen anthropometric measurements. Estimates of correlation among blood pressure phenotypes with other significant variables and stepwise multiple regression analysis have been carried out for both offspring and parent generations. The hypothesis for common household effects was examined by likelihood ratio tests. Almost all anthropometric variables were found to be significant with blood pressure between both generations. The percent of variance for the regression (R2) was found to be higher for the offspring generation than for the parent one. The results suggest that despite of genetic effects, common household environment for many anthropometric measurements is a significant determinant of blood pressure. The data indicate a strong familial aggregation of blood pressure and anthropometric measurements should be a useful tool for screening cardiovascular risk factor with elevated blood pressure.