Prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Pre-hypertension (HTN) and HTN are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite its importance, HTN is often underestimated and undiagnosed, especially in women. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of pre-HTN and HTN among a large sample of Iranian menopausal women.METHODS: This repeated cross-sectional study was conducted on ۱۰۱۳ menopausal women aged ۴۱ to ۸۵ years in Isfahan, Iran, in the years ۲۰۰۱, ۲۰۰۷, and ۲۰۱۶. The participants were selected through multistage cluster random sampling. Awareness, treatment, and control of HTN were assessed using a validated researcher-made questionnaire. Blood pressure was determined via an arm digital blood pressure monitor.RESULTS: The prevalence of HTN in the years ۲۰۰۱, ۲۰۰۷, and ۲۰۱۶ was ۵۲.۶%, ۴۹.۰%, and ۵۱.۶%, respectively; no significant changes were observed (P > ۰.۰۵). The prevalence of pre-HTN in these years was ۵۶.۶%, ۵۳.۳%, and ۴۲.۲%, respectively. In ۲۰۰۱ and ۲۰۰۷, respectively, ۲۸.۸% and ۵۰.۴% of menopausal women had HTN controlled by medication, and in ۲۰۱۶, ۸۶.۶% of women were aware of their disease and ۶۲% of them had controlled HTN (P < ۰.۰۰۱).CONCLUSION: The results showed that HTN and pre-HTN were highly prevalent among Iranian menopausal women and markedly increased with age. Interventional population-based approaches are needed to improve knowledge and efficient practice that may help to lower the risk of HTN and CVD in this at-risk population.

Keywords:

Blood Pressure , Epidemiology , Prehypertension , Hypertension , Risk Factors , Menopause , Women