PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND ITS TRENDS IN CHINESE POPULATIONS

The third nation-wide survey of blood pressure level and hypertension was carried out in China in 1991. In total, 950 356 residents aged gre ater than or equal to 15 years were examined. Sampling populations wer e composed of half urban and half rural from 27 provinces or autonomou s regions and three municipalities. The results showed that: (1) the a ge-adjusted prevalence rate of hypertension (systolic blood pressure g reater than or equal to 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater t han or equal to 90 mmHg) was 11.26% (male 12.15%, female 10.32%) and t he definite hypertension rate (systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal t o 95 mmHg, or on medication) was 5.29% (male 5.38%, female 5.21%); rat e of borderline hypertension was elevated from 2.82% to 6.15% during t he 10-year period from 1979/1980 to 1991; (2) the prevalence rate was progressively increased with age, especially after age 35; prevalence rates were generally higher in men than women before about age 44, how ever by age 60, women had a higher prevalence of hypertension; (3) a g eneral trend of decrease in prevalence from north-eastern to south-wes tern China was confirmed; (4) there were significantly lower rates in rural than in urban areas. Results of preliminary analysis for prevale nce of hypertension among different occupations, nationalities, and ed ucational levels were presented.