Trends and sociodemographic patterns in hypertension prevalence and treatment in China

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a significant public health challenge in China, but evidence of current status and trends for hypertension prevalence and management is limited.

Methods: Data were derived from two nationally representative surveys including 750,208 Chinese adults. All analyses accounted for complex sample design weights. Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg and/or use of antihypertensive medication within 2 weeks.

Findings: The weighted prevalence of hypertension in 2021-2022 was 31.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.1%-33.0%), representing a significantly absolute increase of 8.4% (95% CI 6.5%-10.2%) from 2012-2015 to 2021-2022. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension and isolated diastolic hypertension in 2021-2022 was 9.3% and 5.3%, respectively. In 2021-2022, the weighted rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control were 43.3% (95% CI 41.5%-45.2%), 38.7% (95% CI 36.9%-40.6%), and 12.9% (95% CI 11.6%-14.4%), respectively. The increases in hypertension prevalence were particularly pronounced among men and rural residents, who also tended to have a lower level of hypertension management. Age-standardized hypertension prevalence was 31.2% (95% CI 31.0%-31.4%) in the 2021-2022 survey and 22.3% (95% CI 22.2%-22.5%) in the 2012-2015 survey, respectively.

Conclusions: Hypertension prevalence in China has risen, while awareness, treatment, and control rates remain relatively low. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored policies to enhance hypertension management.

Funding: The work was supported by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and Major Science and Technology Special Plan Project of Yunnan Province.

Keywords: Translation to population health; epidemiology; hypertension; treatment; trend.