Abstract
ObjectivesTo assess trends in average blood pressure levels and prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among adults in a rural area of Northwest China, and to determine associated risk factors.MethodsFour cross-sectional population-based surveys were conducted between 1982 and 2010 among randomly selected adults in rural areas of Hanzhong, in Northwest China. Data on blood pressure, body mass index, family history of hypertension, and socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected in similar way by trained investigators in four surveys. Data of 8575 participants aged 35–64 years was analyzed. Averages and proportions were adjusted for age and sex.ResultsAverage blood pressure in the population has increased since 1982 from 76.9 mm Hg to 79.6 mm Hg in 2010 (diastolic) and from 120.9 to 129.7 mm Hg (systolic). Prevalence of hypertension increased from 18.4% in 1982 to 30.5% in 2010, and awareness of hypertension increased from 16.8% to 38.4% in 2010. Treatment of hypertension increased from 1.0% in 1982 to 17.4% in 2010, and control of hypertension increased from 0.1% in 1982 to 3.5% in 2010. All these gradients were statistically significant (P<0.01 for trend). Population blood pressure and prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension were positively associated with increasing age, body mass index and having family history of hypertension.ConclusionsAverage blood pressure levels and the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adults in rural areas of Hanzhong have increased since 1982. However, awareness, treatment and control rates remain low. Public health programs and practical strategies are required to improve prevention and control of hypertension in rural Northwest China. In particular, attention should be given to the elderly and obese, and to those with a family history of hypertension, while raising awareness and treatment among younger adults.
Highlights
Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease, stroke, and renal disease
To explore some of these issues, we studied the temporal changes in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of HTN and in the population mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels among a rural population in Northwest China over a 28 year period, from 1982 to 2010
SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval. *Age- and sex- adjusted mean SBP or DBP values. {Age- adjusted mean SBP or DBP values for men or women
Summary
Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease, stroke, and renal disease. The general trends of BP level and HTN in most developing countries, in urban areas, are increasing and coming closer to developed countries, but rates of awareness, treatment, and control remain low [12,13,14,15,16]. This high prevalence and poor control are important factors in the rising epidemic of cardiovascular disease in developing countries [13]
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