Trends in blood pressure level, prevalence of hypertension and its care in Isfahan

الملخص EN

Background : This study evaluated the trend of HTN in population of Isfahan who are above 18 years.

Current study measured the trend of HTN, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the rate of patient's awareness, treatment and control of HTN.

Methods : This study consists of 4 cross sectional surveys which have been performed in 1991, 1993, 1997 and 2000.

All 4 surveys measured the trend of HTN, the rate of awareness, treatment and control of HTN in patients.

All studies were cross-sectional.

The health supplier went to patients home and invited them to refer to HTN clinic of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center.

When data were collected, they were given to computer and analyzed using SPSS by t-test.

Findings : The trend of HTN has decreased since 1999 to 2000 (31.8 % in 1991 and 17.5 % in 2000) but this trend hasn't significantly decreased in population, also the trend of HTN between sexes had no significant differences (P > 0.05).

The mean systolic and diastolic BP of both male and female hypertensive patients have been significantly decreased since 1991 to 2000.

Percentile Patients' awareness, treatment of HTN, and control of HTN have increased from 46 %, 23 % and 2.8 % to 50 %, 33.9 % and 12 % since 1991 to 2000 respectively.

Women controlled their hypertension better than men (16.5 % in women and 6.5 % in men).

Discussion : Considering decreasing of HTN, and the mean systolic and diastolic BP, it is essential to design and implement proper community-based intervention for primary and secondary prevention of HTN.

The decreasing trend of HTN, mean systolic and diastolic BP and the increasing trend of patients' awareness of treatment, and control of HTN, are helpful to develop this process by these mechanisms.

Considering the high trend of HTN among patients above 60 years it is essential to implement more effective methods to control their HTN.