Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in China

Abstract

Background— The present article aims to provide accurate estimates of the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in adults in China. Methods and Results— Data were obtained from sphygmomanometer measurements and an administered questionnaire from 141 892 Chinese adults ≥18 years of age who participated in the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. In 2002, ≈153 million Chinese adults were hypertensive. The prevalence was higher among men than women (20% versus 17%; P P P Conclusions— One in 6 Chinese adults is hypertensive, but only one quarter are aware of their condition. Despite increased rates of blood pressure–lowering treatment, few have their hypertension effectively controlled. National hypertension programs must focus on improving awareness in the wider community, as well as treatment and control, to prevent many tens of thousands of cardiovascular-related deaths.