Background. The objective of this study is to evaluate the dietary habits, lifestyle behaviors and sociodemographic factors of individuals diagnosed with hypertension in Kosovo. A cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, including sociodemographic, dietary and lifestyle information. Anthropometric data were used to calculate a  BMI. Statistical analyses were performed using OriginPro 2024, applying Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05). The majority of hypertensive patients were aged 61 ÷ 80 years (49 %)  and had low educational attainment (63 % with only primary education). The gender distribution was balanced (51 % male, 49 % female). Overweight (54 %) and obesity (33 %) were prevalent in the studied  group.
Results and conclusions. Most patients had moderate (34 %) or high (48 %) dietary salt intake, and only 35 % reported changing their diet after being diagnosed with hypertension. Smoking prevalence was low (11 %), but physical inactivity was observed in 49 % of the patients. Most individuals consumed vegetables (77 %) and fruit (78 %) daily, but the intake of fast food (62 % weekly), sweets (81 % weekly) and processed meat (66 % weekly) was also high. Coffee consumption was notable, with 51 patients drinking two cups daily. A significant number of patients (34 %) also had diabetes mellitus, while 13 % had cardiovascular diseases and 22 % had osteoarthritis. Additionally, 68 % reported a family history of cardiac disease. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.0001) were observed between hypertension and age, education level, BMI, physical activity, income, occupation, smoking, comorbidities, salt intake and family history of heart disease. Despite adequate fruit and vegetable intake, high salt consumption, unhealthy dietary  patterns and sedentary lifestyles remain prevalent among the hypertensive patients in Kosovo. Public health programs promoting salt reduction, balanced nutrition and physical activity are urgently needed. The study is limited by its small sample size, single-center design and reliance on self-reported data.