[Current status of primary hypertension in China: an epidemiological study of 12 provinces, 1 autonomous regions, and 1 municipality]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the current prevalence of primary hypertension in China in 2002 so as to lay a foundation for further control of hypertension in future.

Methods: Physical examination, including measurement of the blood pressure using international standardized methods especially, was conducted among 29,076 persons aged 35 - 85, 13,555 males (46.6%) and 15,521 females (53.4%), by cluster sampling in Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Yunnan, and Shaanxi.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 27.9% in general. The prevalence increased along with the age. The rate of awareness of being ill with hypertension was 60.71% in general (9872/29,076), and was 55.64% among the males, significantly lower than that among the females (65.42, P < 0.001). The treatment rate 49.65% (4901/9872) in general, and was significantly higher among the females than among the males (P < 0.01). The control rate was 5.7% (562/9872). In general, the prevalence of hypertension was higher in the North than in the South, and was becoming lower and lower from the North to the South.

Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension is high, while the rates of awareness, treatment and control are low in China.