PREVALENCE OF ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION IN A RURAL-POPULATION OF THE PROVINCE OF BUENOS-AIRES

We screened 1.080 individuals of both sexes between 15 and 75 years old of a rural population of Gral. Belgrano (Prov. of Bs As) in order to assess: 1) prevalence of hypertension (HP) 2) state of awareness of the population about hyper tension and 3) treatment and control of the hypertensive population. The sample represented 11% of the population between 15 and 75 years old. BP was measured 3 times in one occasion and the average of these determinations was used to state prevalence. The prevalence of HP (BP greater than or equal to 140 and/or 90 mmHg) was 39.8% (35.1% for women and 44.9% for men, P < 0.001) (Fig. 2). The prevalence of diastolic hypertension (DHP) was 22.4% in women and 30.1% in men whereas the prevalence of systolic hypertension (SHP) was 9.6% and 12% respectively. 47% of the hypertensive individuals were aware of being hypertensive and 13% of this group were without pharmacological treatment. If we consider the group who was treated (34%) only 7.6% were controlled with the medication. A very high prevalence of this disease was detected in this population. It will be necessary to evaluate obesity and high salt and alcohol intake. The reduction of these risk factors will be of great value for the primary prevention of this disease.