AWARENESS, TREATMENT, AND CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION IN CANADA

The Canadian Heart Health Surveys are cross-sectional, population-base d cardiovascular disease risk factor surveys that took place in each o f the 10 Canadian provinces between 1986 and 1992. Hypertension awaren ess, treatment, and control status are examined. Of 23,129 randomly se lected, noninstitutionalized respondents aged 18 to 74 years, 85% had four blood pressure (BP) measurements taken under standardized conditi ons, two at home during a home interview and two at a following clinic visit. The mean of all available measurements was used to determine h ypertension status. Estimates are weighted and represent population va lues. Only 2% of respondents had never had their BP checked, and 73% h ad had their BP checked in the last 12 months. A systolic or diastolic BP greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg was found in 22% of particip ants (26% of men, 18% of women), representing 4.1 million Canadians. O verall, 16% of participants were treated and controlled; 23% were trea ted and not controlled; 19% were not treated and not controlled; and 4 2% were unaware of their hypertension (47% of men and 35% of women). A mong hypertensives 18 to 34 years old, 64% of men and 19% of women wer e unaware of their hypertension. Among treated and not controlled hype rtensives 63% had a mean systolic BP greater than or equal to 150 mm H g, and 29% a diastolic BP greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg, suggestin g that an important number of Canadians treated for hypertension are s till at increased risk. Despite frequent interactions with the health care system, too many Canadians are still not well controlled or are u naware of their hypertension. (C) 1997 American Journal of Hypertensio n, Ltd.