PATTERN OF BLOOD PRESSURES AMONG HIGH AND LOW-ALTITUDE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN SAUDI-ARABIA

The patterns of blood pressures and their correlates in 499 Saudi nati onals aged 10-72 years living at high altitude (3150 m above sea level ) and 594 Saudi nationals aged 10-76 years living at low altitude (500 m above sea level) were prospectively studied. The average BPs were s ignificantly higher in highlanders compared with lowlanders. In both h igh and lowland residents the BPs rose with age although males in both groups showed a drop in both SBP and DBP beyond the age of 50 years. Hypertension (> 160/95 mmHg) was not detected among lowlanders and onl y 1.4% of all highlanders were found to be hypertensive. These differe nces in BPs are attributed to the significantly higher body mass index values and packed cell volume levels in the highlanders.