Abstract
Background: Premenopausal hypertension is associated with early vascular and metabolic changes that increase future cardiovascular risk, often leading to unrecognized functional impairment. The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a simple, submaximal measure of functional capacity reflecting integrated cardiometabolic health; however, its relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors in hypertensive premenopausal women remains insufficiently explored.
Objective: To determine the correlation between Six-Minute Walk Test performance and cardiometabolic risk factors in hypertensive premenopausal women.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 133 hypertensive premenopausal women aged 40–48 years, recruited from tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Functional capacity was assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test according to American Thoracic Society guidelines. Cardiometabolic risk factors included body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure. Premenopausal status was determined using the STRAW+10 questionnaire. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score, physical activity using the IPAQ-Short Form, dietary patterns using MEDAS, and diabetes risk using FINDRISC. Data collection was completed over two months following ethical approval.
Results: The mean 6MWT distance was 372.6 ± 48.3 meters, with 32% of participants demonstrating impaired functional capacity (<300 meters). The mean BMI was 29.8 ± 4.5 kg/m², and 67% of participants were overweight or obese. Impaired fasting glucose was present in 24% of women. Significant negative correlations were observed between 6MWT distance and BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure, while a positive correlation was found with physical activity level. Waist circumference and physical activity emerged as independent predictors of 6MWT distance.
Conclusion: Reduced functional capacity is strongly associated with adverse cardiometabolic risk profiles in hypertensive premenopausal women. Functional capacity assessment may serve as a practical marker for identifying elevated cardiometabolic risk, emphasizing the importance of interventions targeting physical activity and metabolic health in this population.