Ten yaers trend of hypertension in over 18 years old persons in Isfahan

Different studies have shown that antihypertensive therapy has been associated with reductions of 35-40 percent in stroke incidence, 20-25 percent in myocardial infarction and more than 50 percent in heart failure. This study evaluated the trend of hypertension, the mean systolic & diastolic blood pressure, the patients’ awareness of treatment and control of hypertension among over 18 years population of Isfahan This report consisted of 3 cross sectional epidemiological surveys performed in 1991, 1997 and 2000. The trend of hypertension, the rate of awareness of the treatment and control of hypertension were evaluated. The 3 studies were cross-sectional with randomized-clustering sampling. The patients from both sexes were invited to the hypertension clinic of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research center. Student t-test and chi-square test were employed for data analysis. Prevalence of hypertension decreased from 1991 to 2000 (31.8% in 1991 and 17.5% in 2000) but it was insignificant among over 60 years old persons. There was no significant difference between sexes. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of both male and female hypertensive patients significantly decreased from 1991 to 2000 (male: from 132.2/89.5 to 116.8/73.8 and female: from 133.07/88.2 to 113.7/72.8). The patients’ awareness of treatment and control of hypertension increased from 1991 to 2000. Women controlled their hypertension more than men did(16.05% in women and 6.5% in men). The decreasing prevalence of hypertension, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the increasing trend of patients’ awareness of treatment and control of hypertension, from 1991 to 2000 are promising but the high prevalence of hypertension among over 60 years old patients requires implementing more effective methods to control their hypertension