Blood pressure profile of Lepchas of the Sikkim Himalayas: epidemiological study.

We evaluate the blood pressure profile in relation to selected biological, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors among the Lepchas, a tribal population of Asian origin inhabiting the Dzongu area of northern Sikkim. The results show that mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of Lepcha adults (aged 19 years and older), engaged primarily in agricultural practices, are conspicuously high and that the prevalence of essential hypertension (defined in terms of WHO criteria) is remarkably high as well, irrespective of sex. Significant effects of age on blood pressure were found. None of the anthropometric variables considered was a significant correlate of blood pressure in males, whereas triceps skinfold thickness was the only significant correlate of blood pressure in females. Systolic blood pressure among males was significantly affected by alcohol intake. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures consistently increase with increasing intake of alcohol in both sexes.