Female-specific hypertension risk factors across the lifecourse: a co-twin control analysis using the California Twin Program

Twin studies have been underutilized for examining female-specific etiology of hypertension (HT). The discordant co-twin design offers unique strengths not afforded by other approaches primarily because relatedness and shared origins naturally match twin pairs more closely on genetic and early environmental confounders. We aimed to confirm HT-associated factors across the lifecourse among 202 female twin pairs identified from the California Twin Program (CTP) registry. A baseline questionnaire queried current and past risk factors and self-reported prevalent HT. Hypertension-discordant pairs were compared for differences in demographics, growth and body size, reproductive factors, and lifestyle factors. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression restricted to nonsmokers and stratified by zygosity. Weighing ≥150lbs. versus