Prevalence of hypertension in china: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults.

Methods: Data were obtained from sphygmomanometer measurements and a questionnaire administered to 46239 Chinese adults ≥20 years of age who participated in the 2007-2008 China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication.

Results: A total of 26.6% of Chinese adults had hypertension, and a significantly greater number of men were hypertensive than women (29.2% vs 24.1%, p<0.001). The age-specific prevalence of hypertension was 13.0%, 36.7%, and 56.5% among persons aged 20 to 44 years (young people), 45 to 64 years (middle-aged people), and ≥65 years (elderly people), respectively. In economically developed regions, the prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher among rural residents than among urban residents (31.3% vs 29.2%, p = 0.001). Among women or individuals who lived in the northern region, the disparity in the prevalence of hypertension between urban and rural areas disappeared (women: 24.0% vs. 24.0%, p = 0.942; northern region: 31.6% vs. 31.2%, p = 0.505). Among hypertensive patients, 45.0% were aware of their condition, 36.2% were treated, and 11.1% were adequately controlled.

Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension in China is increasing. The trend of an increase in prevalence is striking in young people and rural populations. Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control are poor. Public health efforts for further improving awareness and enhancing effective control are urgently needed in China, especially in emerging populations.

Figure 1. Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among Chinese aged ≥20 years.

(A) The crude and age-standardized prevalence of hypertension by sex. (B) The age-standardized awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension by sex. (C) The awareness of hypertension among different age groups. Bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 2. Age-specific prevalence of hypertension and mean blood pressure levels among Chinese aged ≥20 years.

The prevalence of hypertension (A), mean systolic blood pressure levels (B) and mean diastolic blood pressure levels (C) among men and women are shown according to age. Bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 3. Trends in the prevalence of hypertension among Chinese aged ≥20 years from 1991 to 2007–2008.

(A) Trends in the prevalence of hypertension among men from 1991 to 2007–2008 according to different age groups. (B) Trends in the prevalence of hypertension among women. (C) Trends in the prevalence of hypertension in the overall population between 1991 and 2007–2008. Bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 4. Prevalence of hypertension according to sex, level of economic development, and geographic region among Chinese aged ≥20 years.

The prevalence of hypertension among urban and rural residents is shown according to sex (A), level of economic development (B) and geographic region (C). Bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.