Background and Objectives Urban Indians especially sedentary workers have a high prevalence of insulin resistance, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We studied the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension, as well their association with cardiovascular risk factors, in office staff of upper socio-economic population in Government Medical College, Jabalpur, India.

Methods A total of 100 adults (age ≥20 yr) working in administrative office of high-income group residents in the city of Jabalpur, central India, were invited to be enrolled for the study. The response rate was 100% (n=100). Socio demographic profile, Blood pressure, anthropometry, plasma glucose were measured. The variables contributing significantly to pre-hypertension and hypertension were analysed by appropriate tests of significance.

Results The prevalence of hypertension was 35%, pre-hypertension was 30% and for raised plasma glucose level was 40%. In contrast to hypertension, which was highest in the age group 60–69 yr (54%), prehypertension was highest (33%) in the group 30–39 yr. There was a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the sedentary workers [central obesity (46.7%) and smoking (30.3% of males)].

Interpretation and Conclusion A high prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension were noted in sedentary workers. Increasing age, body mass index, central obesity and diabetes were significantly associated with both hypertension and pre-hypertension. Pre-hypertension was associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.