Prevalence and Predictors of Undiagnosed Hypertension in an Apparently Healthy Western Indian Population

Abstract

This epidemiological study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of undetected hypertension in an apparently healthy western Indian population having no history of major illness. 3629 individuals of ≥18 years of age were included in the study. Hypertension (HTN) was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg and prehypertension (PHTN) as SBP ≥ 120-139 mmHg or DBP ≥ 80-89 mmHg, but without HTN. The prevalence of undiagnosed HTN in the total population was 26% and was 11% and 40% in the young (≤40-year) and old (>40-year) populations, respectively. The prevalence of PHTN, 40% in the overall population, was nearly the same in the young (39%) and the old population (42%). The risk factor most strongly associated with PHTN and HTN was obesity, showing the highest odds ratio in the overall (PHTN 2.14; 95% CI 1.20-3.81; HTN 2.72; 95% CI 1.53-4.85), the young (PHTN 2.29; 95% CI 1. HTN 2.92;, and the old (PHTN 1.13; 95% CI 0.65-1.96; HTN 1.38; 95% CI 0.79-2.4) populations. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases which must not be ignored, especially in the western Indian population.

Screening for Hypertension in People Aged 50 Years and Older in Byumba Sector: A Community-Based Approach

“…In developing countries, most people with raised blood pressure are unaware of their condition [6]. A holistic strategy to reduce complications and mortality due to hypertension must include preventive measures and early detection among others [7]. This is the role of screening and it had been recommended by the World health Organization that "'early detection is the Key' for prevention and treatment of high blood pressure and that all adults should know their blood pressure" [1].…”

“…In one study of hypertension and associated factors in older adults in South Africa, it was found that hypertension was more prevalent (77.3%) among older adults aged 50 years and more in South Africa and it is prevalent in Rwanda at a rate of 41% and 36.6% for men and women respectively [8]. Since the blood pressure tends to rise as individual becomes older, high blood pressure is frequently found in old people compared to other age group [7] [9] [10].…”

Prevalence of Hypertension Among Adult Population in Slums of West Delhi

“…A study carried out among 10,175 adults aged ≥20 years in slums of Kolkata reported the prevalence of hypertension as 42% and prevalence was higher in men, above 60 years age, in minority community, in those with a higher household income, and among tobacco users [19]. An epidemiological study carried out among 3629 adults between younger and older two age groups in western Indian population showed that hypertension prevalence differs in two different age groups 11% in younger (≤40 years)and 40% in older age groups (>40years) [20].…”

Hypertension and meditation: can meditation be useful in preventing hypertension?

“…[1][2][3] Because hypertension causes extensive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and increased cost of health care; various modalities of preventive measures are being promoted. Studies on Meditation have shown that it helps in changing lifestyle, behavior and outlook towards life and may be effective in management of hypertension as a primary preventive strategy.…”

“…Negative emotions such as anger, hatred, ill will, animosity may accelerate blood pressure and person may develop ischaemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] At hormonal level mental stress increases release of catecholamine, corticoids and thyroxine which are strongly associated with rise in blood pressure both systolic and diastolic. 6,7,10 Cardiovascular diseases carry highest mortality among all cause deaths (23%).…”