PREVALENCE, AWARENESS, TREATMENT, AND CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION IN A SPANISH POPULATION

A cross-sectional population survey using a random, stratified sample into phases was conducted in order to assess the prevalence, awareness , treatment, and control of hypertension in Albacete (a south-eastern province in Spain) with 248 000 inhabitants over 18 years of age. The sample size was of 1322 people. Both systolic and diastolic BP were hi gher in men than in women and showed an increasing trend with age inde pendently of gender. Assuming a cut-off for hypertension of <140/90 mm Hg and <160/95 mm Hg, we found a prevalence of hypertension of 32.7% a nd 23.1%, respectively. Overall, 56.5% of hypertensive subjects were a ware of their condition. The degree of this awareness was significantl y higher in women and in the elderly. The percentage of patients who w ere receiving antihypertensive treatment was 49.1%. This proportion wa s also higher among women, elderly people, and subjects living in urba n areas. High BP was successfully controlled in 10.9% of the total hyp ertensive population which accounted for 24.4% of the treated patients . The corresponding figures for the <160/95 mm Hg cut-off were 38.5% a nd 60.6%, respectively. In the logistic regression model, male gender and size of the local community were significantly associated with a b etter pharmacological control of hypertension. We found a high prevale nce of hypertension with low degree of awareness and control, despite the general pl ogress made in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertens ion in Spain. Specific intervention programs are necessary to increase the extent of control of hypertension in our country.