Epidemiology of arterial hypertension in the adult population of Cataluña

BACKGROUND: The arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases. In this study the epidemiology of hypertension was investigated in a random sample of the adult population of Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: It was obtained a random sample (n = 704) of the adult population of Catalonia aged 15 or more years. The blood pressure was measured and hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) equal or greater to 160 and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) equal or greater to 95 mmHg. The borderline hypertension was defined as a SBP of 140-159 and/or a DBP of 90-95 mmHg. It was studied the association between hypertension and the following cardiovascular risk factors: hypercholesterolemia, obesity, diabetes and smoking. The study was carried out in 1989. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension observed was of 20%. The prevalence increased to 28% when the individuals with borderline hypertension were included. 87 of 144 detected hypertensives (58%) were known hypertensives, 67 (46.5%) received antihypertensive medication, and 30 (21%) were treated and had their blood pressures under control. Individuals with hypertension or borderline hypertension had a greater prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes, and a lower prevalence of smoking than normotensive persons. The odds ratio (hypertensive vs. normotensive persons) was of 3.68 for hypercholesterolemia, 3.26 for obesity, 3.81 for diabetes, and 0.40 for smoking. Nevertheless, the adjusted odds ratio was only statistically significant for the hypercholesterolemia (OR adj = 2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial hypertension is one of the most important public health problems in Catalonia. The percentage of detected, treated and controlled hypertensives should be increased in the following years.