Hypertension disease in Cuba. General overview in the past 25 years

A general overview of hypertension as a major health problem in Cuba in the last 25 years are presented. In the first period, 1974-1990 was created a National Hypertension High Commission by the Minister of Public and the Fir st national program for prevention and Control of Hypertension in Cuba was launched. To define high blood pressure in adults 15 years and older the cu t-off point was set at 160/95 mmHg. The prevalence found was 15% in urban a reas and 7-8% in rural areas. The second period, 1991-1998 the original Nat ional program was re-evaluated in 1990 and 1995. The new blood pressure cut -off point was set at 140/90 mmHg. The prevalence increased to 30.6% in urb an areas and 15% in rural areas and incidence of 2.5% annual. A total of 86 2,303 hypertensive patients were registry at the end of 1997 which represen ts less than 40% of the total number of possible hypertensive patients. A N ational Campaigne was launched in 1998. In 9 months the preliminary reports were 25% increase in prevalence, registry and follow-up of hypertensive pa tients 15 years old and olders (8.5% to 12.5%); 92.9% of primary care docto rs and 89.5% of primary care nurses received training; improvement in publi c education and social support; improvement in risk factor awareness in gen eral public and improvement of hypotensive drugs aviabity and splygmomanome ters supplies.