COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING DETERMINANTS AND RISK FACTORS FOR ELEVATED ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG MANAGERS OF HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS AND AUTHORITIES (BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY)

Abstract

Topicality. A priori, it is an established scientific fact that elevated arterial blood pressure constitutes a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This also applies to the cohort of managers of healthcare institutions and authorities, who operate under conditions of high professional workload and multifactorial stress; however, scientific data on this specific professional category are lacking. Conducting an empirical sociological study among this cohort provides a scientifically grounded basis for the early identification of risk factors, their correction, enhancement of professional performance, and promotion of managers’ health, thereby making this work both relevant and significant. Objective. The aim of this study is to identify and systematically evaluate the key determinants and risk factors for elevated arterial blood pressure among managers of healthcare institutions and authorities, based on sociological analysis and the principles of a conceptual model for establishing causal relationships within the biopsychosocial state of the population. Methods. A quantitative one-timesurvey was conducted among n = 327 managers of medical institutions and healthcare authorities in the Lviv region (R = 83.4%, SE = 1.12%, E = ±2.2%, p < 0.001) using an author-developed questionnaire to identify cardiovascular riskfactors. Data processing was performed in MS Excel (2021) employing medical-statistical methods and the principles of the conceptual model for establishing causal relationships within the biopsychosocial state of the population, based on systemic principles. Results. A significant positive association was found between behavioural distractors and reduced adaptive potential (ZFR = 4.20; r = +0.31; β = +0.31; p = 0.0053). The most prevalent risk factors included smoking (R = 56.88 %), alcohol consumption (R = 54.43 %), non-adherence to healthy lifestyle principles (R = 53.82 %), physical inactivity (R = 41.28 %), irregular nutrition (R = 47.40 %), and sleep disturbances (R = 29.05 %). These factors exert a cumulative effect on health, are associated with elevated blood pressure, and collectively increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, thereby limiting managers’ ability to respond effectively to stressful, professional, and organisational challenges. Conclusions. The findings convincingly demonstrate the need to implement targeted health support programmes for managers of healthcare institutions and authorities at all levels, aimed at modifying behavioural patterns, enhancing health-preserving competencies, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.