Prevalence of hypertension phenotypes in an urban population with low cardiovascular risk in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study of 981 adults in Singapore found a high prevalence of nocturnal hypertension and a non-dipping blood pressure pattern among people assessed as having low 10-year cardiovascular risk. The study abstract reports that nocturnal hypertension was the most prevalent hypertension phenotype, affecting 36.1% of participants, while white-coat hypertension was the least prevalent at 6.5%.

Researchers analysed data from adults aged 21–69 years who had a low 10-year cardiovascular risk according to the 2023 Singapore modified Framingham risk score and were not taking antihypertensives. Participants were recruited from public or clinic settings through convenience sampling. Following consent, they completed structured questionnaires, clinical examinations and investigations that included office blood pressure measurement and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, using validated instruments.

The participant group had a mean age of 45.5 years, with a standard deviation of 11.8 years. Women represented 51.6% of the cohort, and 91.2% of participants were of Chinese ethnicity. Normal body mass index and waist circumference were observed in 47.0% and 60.7%, respectively. Most participants were nonsmokers, at 90.9%, and engaged in physical activity, at 81.3%.

Hypertension prevalence was 25.5% based on office blood pressure and 22.7% based on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The abstract also reports that 38.5% of participants were diagnosed by any ambulatory blood pressure target. Daytime hypertension was observed in 17.4%, masked hypertension in 19.4%, and a non-dipping blood pressure pattern in 59.7% of the cohort. These findings are observations from a cross-sectional convenience sample rather than measures of change over time or evidence of future cardiovascular events. The predominantly Chinese sample and recruitment from public or clinic settings also limit how broadly the results can be generalised. Although the study aimed to examine associated factors, the supplied abstract does not present those analyses. The authors state that longitudinal follow-up could assess the prognostic significance of the phenotypes and their implications for cardiovascular risk stratification.

Subject of Research: Prevalence of hypertension phenotypes among low-risk adults in urban Singapore

Article Title: Prevalence of hypertension phenotypes in an urban population with low cardiovascular risk in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

Article References: Moosa, A. S., Chaterji, S., Ng, D. X., Kumar, B., Kong, S. C., Huang, W., Yap, J., Yeo, K. K., & Ng, C. J. (2026). Prevalence of hypertension phenotypes in an urban population with low cardiovascular risk in Singapore: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29454-y

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29454-y

Keywords: hypertension, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, nocturnal hypertension, masked hypertension, white-coat hypertension, non-dipping blood pressure, cardiovascular risk, Singapore, cross-sectional study, Prevalence, phenotypes, urban