Abstract
OBJECTIVESHypertension (HTN) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Considering the importance of this disease for public health, this study was designed in order to determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors of HTN in the Iranian adult population.METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,107 residents of Isfahan, Iran. Samples were selected through multi-stage random cluster sampling in 2015-2016. The outcome variable was HTN, determined by measuring blood pressure in the right arm via a digital arm blood pressure monitor. Awareness, treatment, and control of HTN were assessed by a validated and reliable researcher-developed questionnaire. Other demographic and clinical variables were assessed via a demographic questionnaire.RESULTSThe overall prevalence of HTN was 17.3% (18.9 and 15.5% in men and women, respectively). The prevalence of HTN increased in both genders with age. The prevalence of awareness of HTN among people with HTN was 69.2%, of whom 92.4 and 59.9% were taking medication for HTN and had controlled HTN, respectively. Logistic regression identified age, body mass index, having diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and a positive family history of HTN as determinants of awareness of HTN.CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that HTN was highly prevalent in the community, especially in men and in middle-aged and older adults. Approximately 30.8% of patients were unaware of their disease, and there was less awareness among younger adults. Despite the high frequency of taking medication to treat HTN, it was uncontrolled in more than 40.1% of patients. Health policy-makers should therefore consider appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies for these high-risk groups.
Highlights
Hypertension (HTN) is a major independent and progressive risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), with significant economic and health complications around the world [1]
According to the results of a longitudinal study with a 7-year follow-up in Isfahan, cardiovascular events were more common among urban dwellers than among rural residents, and HTN was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular events in urban men and women [8]
If the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ≥ 140 mmHg and/or the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was ≥ 90 mmHg, or if the subject reported having been diagnosed with HTN and taking antihypertensive medications, he or she was considered a case of HTN
Summary
Hypertension (HTN) is a major independent and progressive risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), with significant economic and health complications around the world [1]. According to the results of a study in Tehran, HTN was the most important cardiac risk factor for ischemic stroke [3]. In China, of the 230 million people with CVD, about 200 million have HTN [4]. The prevalence of HTN among adults is higher in low- and middle-income countries According to the results of a longitudinal study with a 7-year follow-up in Isfahan, cardiovascular events were more common among urban dwellers than among rural residents, and HTN was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular events in urban men and women [8]
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